Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Feb 29 – Mar 1, 2016Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 11 years ago

Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Heads up!!  Conditions are ripe even though we are not seeing a lot of natural activity. Stick to sheltered low angle slopes.

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. Bonding should be suspect, progress cautiously into steeper terrain.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Persistent weak layers of decomposed surface hoar, facets, and depth hoar are in many locations. These layers have been stubborn to trigger underfoot but could be triggered by cornice failure or from shallow spot.

Weather Forecast

Seasonable temps into Monday with 10 cm of snow overnight. SW winds predicted to be light.  Temps cooling on Tuesday and a bit more snow expected on Wednesday.  Max freezing level 1500 m for the next few days with mostly cloudy skies.

Snowpack Summary

Recent sun has developed a weak crust on S through W aspects. Dry, facetted and generally unsupportive facets below this crust.  Wind slab on lee aspects from previous SW winds and persistent slab in open areas at tree line. Poor travel conditions below tree line due to weak facetted snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

Size 3 skier triggered avalanche on a SW facing alpine slope up Portal Creek today indicates that the persistent slab can be triggered.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Monday

Regions covered