Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Feb 3 – 4, 2016Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 11 years ago

Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Natural avalanches and touchy conditions are still being reported, particularly at treeline. The alpine is also active with loose dry activity on solar aspects and a weak midpack trying to support recent loading from wind and snow.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Although this problem seems to be improving, triggering is still likely in steep terrain.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–3
    35cm of storm snow from Thursday has formed a slab overlying a weak facetted snowpack or decomposed surface hoar layer.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    Several loose slides were observed out of steep rocky terrain, primarily on solar aspects in the alpine. These avalanches entrained mass, especially where confined by terrain such as gullies and drainages.

Weather Forecast

Cool temperatures, with freezing levels remaining below 1000m for Wednesday then a gradual warming trend towards the weekend. Light Southwest wind, gusting to moderate. Light scattered flurries amounting to less than 5cm by Friday evening.

Snowpack Summary

Recent storm snow has formed new windslabs in the alpine and at treeline, mainly on North Easterly aspects below ridge crests. These slabs add load to a mainly weak and facetted midpack that has a layer of concern down about 60cm at an interface of facets and new snow.

Avalanche Summary

1 new natural slab avalanche noted in the Mt Diadem area - East aspect, 2100m. 80m wide, ran 50m, and appeared to be about 60-90cm deep, most likely sliding on facets and possibly decomposing surface hoar. Several loose dry slides to size 2.5 out of steep rocky terrain in the alpine, entraining mass especially where confined by terrain.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Regions covered