Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 15th, 2014 4:00PM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is high, and the below treeline rating is considerable. Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.

steve blagbrough, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Snowfall warning in effect for the Icefields and Lake Louise area. The ski hill or safe ice climbing venues could be a good option for tomorrow.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Snowfall warning in effect for the Icefields area and Lake Louise. Forecast models are giving up to 30cm of snow starting Saturday night through to Monday with strong south westerly winds. Heavy drifting is likely at tree-line and alpine elevations.

Snowpack Summary

Touchy slab conditions exist at tree-line and sub-alpine elevations. Large cornices continue to grow along ridge lines. The alpine is generally scoured old snow or hard wind slabs.

Avalanche Summary

Two ski tourers triggered a size 2.5 which failed on the February 10th facet layer in Whistler Creek yesterday. Of note was that the slide was triggered from a shallow rocky area, stepped down to the basal facet layer and was in a cross wind loaded feature at tree-line. Field teams earlier in the week remotely triggered several slabs at tree-line.

Confidence

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Where slab overlies the February 10th facet layer very touchy conditions exist. We have found this to be most prevalent at tree line elevations where remote and skier triggered avalanches have been occurring in the last few days.

If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Wind Slabs

The avalanche cycle in the alpine has eased off but we expect this to ramp up with the onset of heavy snow and strong winds on Saturday night.

Choose ice climbs that are not exposed to avalanches from above.It is a good time to stay within the boundaries of a ski resort.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Mar 16th, 2014 4:00PM