Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Mar 12 – 13, 2017Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 10 years ago

Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Safe, excellent riding conditions can be found in conservative terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–3
    S-ly winds are creating slab on lee aspects and firming it up on windward aspects. Trigger and you're very likely to initiate deeper instabilities and really wreak your day.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3
    Persistent mid-pack slab condition continuing to surprise, and not the good kind of surprise! Like triggering an unseen overhead feature; Surprise!

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    2–4
    Natural activity has subsided but don't let your guard down. It remains a major concern with a extremely weak base of depth hoar. Trigger spots would be shallow zones or a step down effect if upper layers are initiated.

Weather Forecast

Light flurries will continue through the region, tapering off Sunday evening and into Monday. Temperatures will hold steady, with daytime highs near zero, especially in the northern end of the forecast region. Steady light to moderate southerly winds to continue.

Snowpack Summary

Moderate southerly winds transporting and pressing recent HST into soft slab and wind slabs in open areas at TL and above. This sits on a persistently weak interface 20 to 45cm down. A weak but slowly improving mid-pack that is just supportive enough for travel below treeline. Deep persistent weakness of facets and depth hoar at the base.

Avalanche Summary

Road patrol on the Icefields Parkway observed no new avalanches. Poor visibility at treeline and above. Late report from the Ascend split-board festival group of a rider remote from a treeline location into the alpine. Two size 2 to 2.5 Sr(300) 100 to 150cm thick x 35m wide, running to bottom of the path.

Confidence

Regions covered