Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Feb 16 – 17, 2021
View on map
Archived · expired 6 years ago

Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low

Highlights

There has been a decrease in natural avalanche activity in the past 2 days, yet there is a concern that human triggered avalanches are still possible in shallow areas where the snowpack is facetted and weak.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–3

    Recent wind slab activity has been noted in high elevation wind loaded features. It seems to require a large trigger such as a cornice failure to initiate or potentially a shallow location where a skiers weight may be enough.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Isolated, sheltered features that have not been impacted by winds are susceptible to sluffing and loose dry avalanches. Ice climbers be aware of these features.

Weather Forecast

We will return to seasonal normals with alpine temperatures between -17C and -10C for the next few days. A mix of sun and cloud with trace amounts of snow forecasted for Tuesday. Winds expected to be light from the southwest to northwest.

Snowpack Summary

The upper snowpack has facetted from the recent cold temperatures and overlies a supportive mid-pack, except in shallow areas where the entire snowpack is weak and facetted. Variable wind effect in the alpine and at tree line.

Avalanche Summary

One sz 3 avalanche (wind slab) observed from extreme, alpine, north aspect terrain.  No other avalanches observed.

Confidence

Regions covered