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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 18th, 2017–Feb 19th, 2017
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Jasper.

http://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/links/goto_e.asp?destination=Special Public Avalanche Warning has been issued for Jasper National Park due to dangerous avalanche conditions. "The snowpack is touchy and even though it looks enticing, it is unforgiving right now" - CS

Weather Forecast

Light flurries over the next few days will accumulate up to 15cm of new snow. Temps to remain between -3 to -10 in the Alpine with light (1-25km/hr) SW winds. Freezing levels could go as high as 1600m on Sunday.

Snowpack Summary

25cm HST in the past 4 days along the Columbia Icefields and 35km/hr SW winds have built, yet another, layer of windslab TL and ALP. A rain crust (up to 20cm) exists below 1900m. The denser upper snowpack overlies a weak faceted lower pack, making for very tricky and dangerous avalanche conditions .

Avalanche Summary

A sz 3 slab released from a steep rocky area below ridgeline from Churchill South, NE aspect, 2500m elevation. Crown was ~100cm deep, 200m wide and traveled into the runout zone. A sz 2 released in a steep gully at treeline on Mt. Wilson today, dusting the highway.Widespread whumphing and shooting cracks were noted on all elevations.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations on Saturday

Avalanche Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Widespread whumphing and shooting cracks in previously un-skied terrain. Recent natural activity up to Sz 3 failing on the weak faceted snowpack.
Watch for shooting cracks or stiffer feeling snow. Avoid areas that appear wind loaded.Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Wind Slabs

25cm HST and moderate SW winds have added to the windslab problem in the alpine and open tree-line features.
Be aware of the potential for wide propagations due to the presence of hard windslabs.Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3