Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 5th, 2019–Mar 6th, 2019

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Jasper.

It is finally warming up. Watch for snowballing, sloughing, and water running on the cliffs around ice climbs - all are signs the snowpack is weakening from warm temps.

Weather Forecast

The arctic airmass and associated ridge of high pressure are finally breaking down. This is being driven by a series of lows moving inland bring warmer moister air over the region. Wednesday: A mix of sun and cloud. Alpine Low -15 °C, High -5 °C. Ridge wind Light South. Freezing Level 1400m.Mountain weather forecast available at Avalanche Canada.

Snowpack Summary

The warming trend will destabilize the upper snowpack, particularly where exposed to the sun. The upper snowpack remains generally facetted, but the surface has been sun affected on solar aspects. Wind effect is visible in open terrain from previous SW switching to N winds. The mid and lower snowpack is facetted but still generally carries skis.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been observed or reported.

Confidence

Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

Problems

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.