Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Mar 4 – 5, 2017Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 10 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

The Icefields Parkway North of Saskatchewan Cross and Maligne Lake road are currently closed with avalanche control taking place on Saturday

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Loose snow avalanche can be expected from all steep rocky features which may then channel into gulleys or trigger deeper avalanches from open slopes.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Reactive storms slabs are building and may be up to 50cm thick by Saturday morning. If triggered these are likely to trigger deeper instabilities producing larger avalanches.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    2–3
    Under the additional load of ongoing snow large avalanches are expected from this layer.

Weather Forecast

Snow will continue through the night with upwards of 30cm forecast. Winds at and above treeline will be moderate to Strong from the SW. Temperatures will cool to -12 where they will remain during Saturday as the storm passes. A cooling trend will follow. Lows of -19 near treeline and on Sat night as winds become lighter and shift to the south.

Snowpack Summary

Under the influence of moderate to strong SW winds 15cm of new snow has fallen during the day in the icefields area. This amount is expected to double overnight. Storm slabs are building at treeline and above over a weak and unstable snowpack below. Below treeline the snowpack is unsupported with weak facets and depth hoar.

Avalanche Summary

With whiteout conditions and steady snow there have been no reported avalanches due to poor visibility. However, the danger and likelihood of natural avalanche is currently high and will remain so until the weather system passes. All avalanche terrain should be considered suspect and avoided as large far running avalanches are expected.

Confidence

Regions covered