Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Feb 19 – 20, 2014Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 13 years ago

Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

The main concern is the buried surface hoar, facet, crust combo layer found predominantly at tree line and sub alpine elevations  'Whumphing' is being reported from this persistent weak layer (PWL).

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Recent southerly winds have created new windslabs. Caution is warranted with lee and crossloaded features.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2
    The interface between rapidly settling storm snow and the previous surface is characterized by crusts. facets and surface hoar. New slabs are touchy in specific terrain - particularly steep, lee aspects at treeline and sub alpine elevations.

Weather Forecast

Some snow showers (10cm) is forecast for the southern end of our forecasting area and is accompanied by light southerly winds. This should do little to change our present avalanche hazard.

Snowpack Summary

Recent snowfall overlies a surface hoar, surface facet and crust combo, found predominantly at tree line and sub alpine elevations  A relatively hard mid-pack is providing bridging strength over the weak basal facet layer. Below tree line has a supportive (albeit shallow) mid-pack.

Avalanche Summary

Yesterday - there was no natural activity observed between Jasper and The Big Bend and only limited results with the Avalauncher at Parkers Ridge (tree line elevation).

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Regions covered