Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 25th, 2013 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Deep Persistent Slabs and Cornices.

mike eder, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Avalanche danger will increase through the day based on how intense the sun will be and the warming temperatures. Consider starting and ending your trips earlier in the day.

Summary

Weather Forecast

No snow is expected in the next few days. There will be colder temperatures overnight and then steady daytime warming with the sunny days. By the weekend, daytime temperatures may reach the double digits. Winds will remain light from the Southwest to Northwest.

Snowpack Summary

A variable thick slab exists in alpine and treeline locations on a variety of aspects. It is over a strong midpack except in shallow locations where you could trigger basal facets or depth hoar weakness at the ground. Steeper South facing terrain has a suncrust 80cm down. Strong diurnal temperature fluctuations have helped stability.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed in the Portal and Whistler creek areas today.

Confidence

Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain on Wednesday

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

This continues to be the main concern with last week's avalanche activity showing deeper slabs that were sliding full depth on weak facets and in windloaded gully features on predominantly Northeast through to Southeast aspects.

Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Cornices

Cornices will become increasingly prone to failure as the days get warmer. A cornice failure could provide a heavy trigger for an avalanche on the slopes below. Pay attention to what is above you and the temperatures during the day.

Extra caution needed around cornices with current conditions.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Mar 26th, 2013 4:00PM