Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 22nd, 2022–Mar 23rd, 2022

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Jasper.

Watch out for the poor overnight freeze Tuesday evening. Snow and strong winds are expected for Wednesday evening. If the storm comes in early or you are out late the hazard could be greater than what is reflected in the bulletin.

Weather Forecast

Wednesday

Flurries.

Accumulation: 6 cm.

Alpine temperature: High -1 C.

Ridge wind southwest: 20 km/h gusting to 60 km/h.

Freezing level: 2000 metres.

Thursday

A mix of sun and cloud.

Precipitation: Nil.

Alpine temperature: Low -11 C, High -7 C.

Ridge wind west: 10-30 km/h.

Freezing level at valley bottom.

Snowpack Summary

There is a 1-5cm breakable temperature crust on all aspects below 1700m. Also a sun crust on solar aspects to at least 2100m. The midpack is mostly solid but there could be a Feb 13 interface down 20-50cm as a suncrust on solar aspects and a facet layer on polar aspects.

Avalanche Summary

No new recent avalanches have been observed around Jasper

Confidence

Timing of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Wednesday

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.