Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Mar 16 – 17, 2020Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 7 years ago

Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low

Highlights

Good skiing can be found on Sheltered North facing treeline and below features.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Previous NE winds reverse loaded alpine features North of Sask x'ing. More evident in the North bulletin area. This, in combination with basal facet issue produced a few random large destructive avalanches yesterday.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2.5

    A warming snow pack and solar input is weakening the surface snow and starting to move naturally. Keep in mind what is overhead and the intensity of the sun during your trips

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3.5

    Several natural large avalanches observed yesterday due to the combination of rapid wind loading initiating basal facets or reloaded bed surfaces.

    Mt Athabasca ramp route ran size 3.5. Impressive avalanche running into the rock basin below.

Weather Forecast

Tuesday will see some cloud cover and slightly cooler temps, -5 as the day time high.

Wednesday will be cloudy with a drop in temperatures -20

Thursday Cloudy with sunny periods. -20 generally Light winds overall.

More detailed forecast at: Mountain weather forecast

Snowpack Summary

Wide spread scouring, stripping in exposed places. Hard slabs and sastrugi now present. Sun Crust on S-SW aspects to ALP and Temperature crust on E-SW aspects TL and below. The Icefields area has a well bridged mid pack overlying basal facets and depth hoar. The northern region is weaker with less bridging midpack strength above basals weaknesses.

Avalanche Summary

Snowballing and surface instabilities are waking up on our lowest road side solar features. Water is starting to run, Lubricating the underlying surfaces.

Confidence

Regions covered