Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 3rd, 2020 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Storm Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.

Parks Canada Jasper Snow Safety, Parks Canada

Email

The Icefields Parkway and the Maligne Lake road are still closed. Check 511.alberta.ca/ for updates.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Tuesday will be mostly cloudy and isolated flurries, trace amount of snow, -16 C, and Southwest winds 20 km/h. Wednesday will be bring 6 cm of snow, -16C, light gusting moderate westerly winds.

See Weather synopsis here: Avalanche Canada Mountain Weather Forecast

Snowpack Summary

50 cm snow arrived  in Jan 31 / Feb 1 with  strong winds and warm temperatures. The storm created thick storm slabs over the facetted midpack and weak basal facets and depth hoar.

Avalanche Summary

Considering the depth of new snow very little natural activity seen accept in the Wilson area.  Explosives work over the last 2 days produced inconsistent results.  Icefields area from size 1 to 3 with 50 to 100% cleanout.  Loose dry results up to size 2.5 from Medicine Slabs but nothing hitting the road.

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations on Tuesday

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

Up to 50 cm during the recent storm with Mod SW winds.

  • The new snow will require several days to settle and stabilize.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs

Recent 50 cm of new snow has the potential to overload this weakness

  • If triggered the storm slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1.5 - 3.5

Valid until: Feb 4th, 2020 4:00PM