Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Mar 12 – 13, 2016Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 11 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sat
Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Don't be fooled by the lack of natural activity.  The weakness around the buried persistent slab  is still lurking in the snowpack and is most likely triggered in Portal/Whistler Creek and Maligne Lake Areas.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Uniform wind slab has formed on most lee alpine and tree line slopes and cross-loaded features. 

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–3
    This problem is most active in the Maligne and surrounding Jasper area where the average snow pack is shallow but is proving much less active in the Icefields area.

Weather Forecast

Clear and freezing level rising to over 2000 m on Saturday then an intense but short storm Saturday night with heavy snow, falling freezing level and strong South winds dropping up to 10 cm.  Temperatures remain cool on Sunday and snow with light winds on Monday.

Snowpack Summary

Maligne/Jasper: Variable snow depth above tree-line, relative to exposure. Average HS 70cm. Surface wind slabs and persistent slab down 40-90cm. Icefields: Variable snow depth above tree-line, relative to exposure. Average HS 120cm. Widespread wind slabs overlaying supportive mid pack and weak base.

Avalanche Summary

Field team in the Icefields noted a few size 2 slab avalanches on cross-loaded Alpine features, west aspect. Whumphing and cracking noted below tree line around Bald Hills.  Marmot reported little in the way of natural activity around the ski hill today except a cornice initiated slab on Sherpa.

Confidence

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

Regions covered