Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Mar 3 – 4, 2017Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 10 years ago

Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

The avalanche hazard will increase throughout the day on Friday as a storm is predicted to bring up to 20-40 cm of snow with strong southerly winds.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    Windslabs are building on lee aspects and will increase in reactively throughout the day on Friday.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    2–3
    Persistent slabs are buried under the light snow that has accumulated. Be vigilant particularly in sheltered spots where buried surface hoar may exist.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    2–3
    Trigger possible from shallow spots.

Weather Forecast

Depending on which forecast you look at we can expect to see 20-40cm of snow within the next 36 hours... At least they all agree it will snow! Winds will be range from 25-60km/hr from the southwest with an Alpine temps between -5 to -10. The storm will end Saturday, winds will become light and temps will drop to -15.

Snowpack Summary

Strong SW winds building windslab over previous windslabs and facets on alpine and open treeline slopes. Below treeline is unsupportive with weak facets and depth hoar.

Avalanche Summary

Several natural avalanches reported up to Sz 2 along the Icefields Parkway over the last few days.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Friday

Regions covered