Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 15th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Loose Wet, Persistent Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
TJ,
Avalanche Canada
The avalanche cycle has started. Saturday, March 16th the Icefields Parkway will be closed from 13:00 to 20:00 for avalanche control from Parker Ridge to Saskatchewan Crossing. No climbing/skiing/winter activities within the closure. Afternoon road closures are possible on Maligne Lake Road.
Check AB511 for immediate updates
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
Numerous loose wet, avalanches were observed on steep sunny aspects. Large slabs have been observed across Jasper running on the Feb Crust and some stepping down to ground.
Snowpack Summary
The forecasted warmup will be a dramatic change to the surface and mid-pack condition of the snowpack. This change will happen over an extremely reactive crust interface down 35-60cm. This persistent weak layer has been consistently producing large natural avalanches. The equally worrisome basal depth hoar makes up the bottom third of the snowpack. HS ranges from 80 to 130cm.
Weather Summary
Parker Ridge Saturday
Sunny
Precipitation: Nil.
Alpine temperature: High 6 °C.
Ridge wind light to 20 km/h.
Freezing level: 3200 metres.
Sunday
Sunny
Precipitation: Nil.
Alpine temperature: Low 2 °C, High 5 °C.
Ridge wind west: 10-20 km/h.
Freezing level: 3500 metres.
Mountain Weather Forecast is available @ Avalanche Canada https://www.avalanche.ca/weather/forecast
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.
Problems
Loose Wet
Strong and extended solar and temperature change is expected on all aspects. Open and exposed terrain will accelerate this process and may initiate deeper instabilities.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
This problem layer is the crust and facets created by early February's warm spell. It is down 30-90 cm in the snowpack and is a 1-10 cm thick crust or multiple crusts with a layer of weak facets above.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
The base of the snowpack is inherently weak and untrustworthy. Tickling this deep layer would result in a high consequence avalanche. Any avalanche in the upper snowpack has the potential to step down to the base of the snowpack.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 16th, 2024 4:00PM
