Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 14th, 2017–Feb 15th, 2017

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

Regions: Jasper.

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

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

Avalanche 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