Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Mar 6 – 7, 2019Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 8 years ago

Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

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.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Cold temperatures have facetted/weakened the upper snowpack. Point release activity will increase with warming on steep solar aspects at all elevations.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1.5–2.5
    The weak and facetted snowpack is about to be tested by warming temperatures, then some new snow, for the first time in over a month. Triggering of the basal weakness may become possible in areas where the snowpack above still retains some cohesion.

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

Regions covered