Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 4th, 2022 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs, Loose Dry and Loose Wet.

Jeffrey Mitchell,

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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.

Summary

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

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing 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

An icon showing 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

An icon showing 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

Valid until: Mar 5th, 2022 4:00PM

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