Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Mar 22 – 23, 2012Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 15 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

A skier remotely triggered a size 3 avalanche today in the Portal creek drainage from 300m away, deep instabilities remain in the snowpack.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–4
    The buried surface hoar layer remains a concern in areas that have not recently avalanched. Variable winds have made judging bridging strength/depth a difficult task. Solar effect will weaken the bridging effect of the slab on exposed slopes.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    Recent mod-strong alpine winds have formed slabs and large cornices on lee slopes. Cornices anchors are weakened by solar radiation, especially along rocky, wind-exposed ridges. Cornice failure and windslab avalanches may trigger deeper layers.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Surface snow is responding to the strong solar radiation effect that happens in March and April. Ice climbers should also be wary of large pillows of snow still overhanging routes on solar aspects.

Weather Forecast

Snowpack Summary

Avalanche Summary

Confidence

Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

Regions covered