Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Mar 15 – 16, 2013Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

Skiing will be great on sheltered low angle treeline slopes.  Avoid the temptation to be drawn onto big features until conditions warrant.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Thick soft slabs are developing with continued moderate to strong SW winds.  Slabs are thickest and most easily triggered just below ridgelines.  Slab avalanches can possibly trigger large, full snowpack avalanches on thin snowpack slopes.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Quantities of loose snow plaster steep cliffy terrain which is often encountered in and around ice climbs. With sufficient volume there currently to produce sizable avalanches, and more on the way, you would do well to avoid this terrain.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–3
    More than 80 cm of new snow has fallen in the Icefields area since Wednesday.  This snow is settling to form soft slab conditions on sheltered alpine and treeline slopes.

Weather Forecast

Treeline temperatures will remain mild with moderate to strong SW winds continuing Friday night through to Saturday afternoon.  Only light precipitation is expected.  On Saturday night, winds and temperatures will drop as a moist upper trough will bring another 20 cm or more by Sunday morning.

Snowpack Summary

Soft to hard slabs are forming in the alpine under the influence of moderate to strong Westerly winds. In the Columbia Icefields area over 80cm of snow has fallen Since Wednesday. At treeline, soft slabs exist in the most wind exposed terrain. Lesser amounts of snow fell near Jasper townsite.

Avalanche Summary

Large natural slab avalanches are occurring on steep alpine slopes as moderate to strong SW winds continue to load lee features.  Avalanche control on the Icefields Parkway yielded good results with slab avalanches scouring to ground.  At treeline, mild temperatures and solar exposure provided the trigger Loose wet slides south of the Icefields.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Saturday

Regions covered