Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 14th, 2017 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is considerable. Known problems include Wind Slabs, Persistent Slabs and Loose Wet.

deryl kelly, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Wet flurries and rain expected as freezing levels rise to 2000ms for the next couple of days.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Cooling along the Icefields parkway as approaching system enters the forecast region. SW-ly winds expected to increase to moderate values for Tuesday night and into Wednesday with the arrival of the warm moist air. Light precip in the form of rain and moist snow expected for all elevations.

Snowpack Summary

Hard surface windslab in the alpine and open tree-line features. Recent HST in sheltered locations at tree-line and below forming a cohesive soft slab over a faceted mid-pack with only marginal support below tree-line. This is all sitting on a weak base of large facets and depth hoar to create an overall delicate and untrustworthy snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported or observed

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

Hard touchy windslab in the alpine and open tree-line features showing very serious potential for wide propagation in connected features.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.Be aware of the potential for wide propagations due to the presence of hard windslabs.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

Avalanches initiated within the storm snow may step down to deeper layers and in some cases gouging to ground in thin snowpack areas.

If triggered the storm/wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Loose Wet

Rain and warm temperatures expected in valley bottoms.

Use extra caution on slopes if the snow is moist or wet.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 15th, 2017 4:00PM