Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Mar 11 – 12, 2016Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 11 years ago

Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

The persistent slab problem is widespread and will likely trigger where the snowpack is shallow. Snowpack is deeper in the Icefields, but if you trigger it, the result is deeper and more destructive avalanches.Good riding found BTL in Parkers.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Expect slab development immediate to lee ridge lines and cross loaded features.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1–3
    This problem is most active in the Maligne and surrounding Jasper area where the average snow pack is shallow. Remotely triggered avalanches reported on very low angle terrain. This problem is proving much less active in the Icefields area.

Weather Forecast

Forecasted snowfall amounts delayed and most intense precip observed in the later afternoon and expected to continue through the night expecting more then 10cms. Strong south winds are expecting to continue, decreasing over the day Friday. Temperatures to remain cool but freezing levels up to 2000ms in the Icefields. Broken skies in the pm.

Snowpack Summary

Maligne/Jasper: Variable snow depth above tree-line, relative to exposure. Average HS 70cm. Surface wind slabs and persistent slab down 40-90cm, very touchy, even on low angle slopes.Icefields: Variable snow depth above tree-line, relative to exposure. Average HS 120cm. Cornices and building wind slabs overlaying supportive mid pack and weak base.

Avalanche Summary

Previously noted large destructive avalanches noted in the Maligne Valley up to size 3, one measuring 900ms in length at the crown. Field team in the Icefields noted 3 avalanches on similar cross-loaded Alpine features, up to size 2.5 on south aspect. No other Alpine observations due to weather.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Thursday

Regions covered