Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Mar 17 – 18, 2016Parks Canada
View on map
Archived · expired 11 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
Open full map

Highlights

Caution still advised in Portal/Whistler Creek as persistent slab still a concern.  Intense solar radiation and rising freezing levels on the weekend may act as a trigger.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    Uniform wind slab has formed on most lee alpine and tree line slopes and cross-loaded features.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    2–3
    This problem was most active in the Maligne and surrounding Jasper area where the average snow pack is shallow but is proving much less active in the Columbia Icefield area.

Weather Forecast

Cool and clear on friday with light winds and no precipitation. Skis remain clear until Sunday with the freezing level increasing to 2500 m by the end of the weekend. 

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack is generally shallow and poorly consolidated, significant variation exists within the forecasting area. Test results in Portal Crk , 15th, showed mod-hard results dwn 60cm on facets 2-3mm with a sudden planar character. This layer could be trigger from thin areas. Alpine windslab on lee slopes and melt/freeze crust below Treeline.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed or reported.

Confidence

Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain on Friday

Regions covered