Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Mar 21 – 22, 2014Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 13 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Ski conditions are great but the snowpack is still unstable.  Best to avoid big terrain features and choose conservative lines!

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Windslabs are forming in wind prone areas like below lee ridges at treeline and above.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–3
    The "drought layer" (Feb 10) has been sensitive in the past week, contributing to numerous large avalanches. Pay particular attention to moraines at treeline and cross-loaded features in the alpine.

Weather Forecast

Light flurries with little accumulation can be expected through the weekend.  Cold temperatures will persist with only light Northerly winds.

Snowpack Summary

40 cm of settled storm snow with little wind effect except in wind prone areas. This snow has buried various surfaces including windslab. The Feb. 10th drought layer is now almost a meter deep in the snowpack. Basal facets are still lurking at the base of this snowpack. Field teams in the Cavell area had widespread whumpfing on a moraine feature.

Avalanche Summary

No new observations today with teams in the Cavell area and a patrol to Saskatchewan Crossing.  Several large avalanches were observed earlier this week. These avalanches exhibited wide propagation, were primarily found in big East facing alpine terrain, and several were triggered by cornice fall.

Confidence

The weather pattern is stable on Saturday

Regions covered