Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Mar 5 – 6, 2017Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 10 years ago

Avalanche danger

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

The Icefields Parkway North of Saskatchewan Crossing and the Maligne Lake road remain closed until avalanche control can taken place on Sunday. Many large avalanches are running and will likely continue to do so throughout the weekend.

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
    2–3
    45cm of storm snow is forming a soft slab at treeline and above. It will remain very reactive to triggering for the next 24 hours. Where stronger winds in the alpine have transported the snow it may be up to 60cm thick.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    2–3
    Increased loading above this layer from the recent storm snow has produced number releases up to size 3. These are mostly from the alpine and treeline elevations and are running down to the valley bottoms.

Weather Forecast

Colder temperatures over the next 24 hrs with overnight lows of -15 at treeline. Highs on Sunday will be close to -10 with light to moderate southerly winds and snow flurries at higher elevations to 10cm. No significant snowfall forecast next  week with cool temperatures and a moderate westerly flow.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 45cm of storm snow has been received across the forecast area during the past 36 hours. Under the influence of light to moderate southerly winds a soft slab is forming at treeline and above. The mid and lower snowpack is unstable, the base of which is weak depth hoar crystals and a rain crust, dating from November.

Avalanche Summary

Avalanche control was stalled due to poor flying conditions. Field teams were able to determine that there was widespread avalanche activity up to size 3. Although the visibility was poor these events seem most prevalent in the alpine from the new storm slab which, as predicted, is stepping down to basal weakness resulting in deep releases.

Confidence

Regions covered