Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Feb 12 – 13, 2017Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 10 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

The Icefields Parkway and Maligne Lake Road remain closed until winds ease to allow for helicopter avalanche control of alpine slide paths.  Good time to make some laps at the ski hill.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    2–3
    Strong SW winds building windslab with recent storm snow.  Avalanche cycle continues on alpine lee slopes.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    2–3
    Avalanches initiated within the storm snow may step down to deeper layers and in some cases gouging to ground in thin snowpack areas.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    1–3
    30-40cm of storm snow has formed a touchy storm slab.

Weather Forecast

Strong  SW winds to continue on Sunday with light flurries possible.  The wind finally abates on Monday with clearing skies and warming temperatures.

Snowpack Summary

30-40cm of recent snow is building windslab at treeline and above with continued strong SW winds. A reactive storm slab can be found at all elevations and aspects. The upper snow pack has several touchy surface hoar and facet layers which are now buried 40-50cm and 60-80cm. The mid-pack is facetted and weak, with depth hoar at its base

Avalanche Summary

The avalanche cycle is continuing in the alpine with natural avalanches observed to Sz 2.5 on alpine lee. Avalanche control revealed the potential for wide windslab propagation.

Confidence

Wind speed and direction is uncertain on Sunday

Regions covered