Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Jasper.
It's March and the sun is packing a punch. Cornices are large and deserve a lot of attention these days, avoid being under them when ever possible and don't stand on them.
Weather Forecast
Saturday
A mix of sun and cloud.
Precipitation: Nil.
Alpine temperature: High -8 C.
Ridge wind north: 10-20 km/h.
Freezing level at valley bottom.
Sunday
A mix of sun and cloud.
Precipitation: Nil.
Alpine temperature: Low -14 C, High -7 C.
Ridge wind west: 10-25 km/h.
Freezing level: 1400 metres.
Snowpack Summary
Feb 28-Mar 2 storm deposited 35cm of snow at Parkers Ridge Area. 10-15cm fell further to the North. Suspect a new sun crust on solar aspects from Friday. A crust down 25-40cm from the surface is decomposing but can still be found below 2500m on south aspects. There is a widespread weak facet layer at the bottom of the snowpack in all areas.
Avalanche Summary
Jasper Visitor Safety preformed avalanche control on Thursday in the Parkers Ridge zone. Explosives control produced a few slab avalanches up to size 2 on east aspects. One natural cornice avalanche Sz 2 was observed on Thur on Churchill this entrained loose dry snow.
Confidence
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Winds have shifted to a northerly flow. Wind slabs possible on all aspects.
- Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Loose Dry
Avoid ice climbs that are exposed to steep rocky terrain.
- Avoid terrain traps, such as gullies, where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.
- Use caution above cliffs where small avalanches may have severe consequences.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Loose Wet
Caution on the solar slopes in the afternoon if the sun comes out.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2