Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 11th, 2020 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs, Loose Dry and Deep Persistent Slabs.

Parks Canada Jasper Snow Safety, Parks Canada

Wind pressed snow is widespread in the forecast region at the moment, Caution as new snow will bury and cover widespread wind slabs, making them hard to assess.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Thursday will see up to 9cm of snow accompanied with light Northerly winds, -12 as the high.

Friday we will see the temperatures drop to -28 with overcast and Light Easterly winds.

The weekend will see continued cold temps and light flurries with appearances from the sun.

More detailed forecast at: Mountain weather forecast

Snowpack Summary

Storm snow is bonding well to older snow surfaces. The Icefields has a well bridged mid pack overlying basal facets and depth hoar. The northern region is weak and shallow; bridging over the basal weakness is less reliable BTL.

Avalanche Summary

A field team down south noted two Deep persistent 3.5 size avalanches on SW & NE aspects in the alpine. Numerous loose dry observed on E-S faces from steep rocky terrain in the IcefieldsĀ  A size 2 cornice release was also observed entraining storm snow from a steep lee feature in the Maligne

Share your observations: Mountain Information Network

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Widespread wind effect in the alpine.

  • Assess start zones carefully and use safe travel techniques.
  • Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Dry

An icon showing Loose Dry

Ice climbers be cautious in areas where loading has stressed the snowpack. Top outs and ledges may be particularity sensitive due to recent snow and transport winds.

  • Be careful of loose dry power sluffing in steep terrain..

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs

2 Large avalanches observed today on this layer from past 24 hours. Initiating this layer is more likely from large loads such as cornice fall or from shallow snowpack areas.

  • Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to weak layers at the base of the snowpack.
  • Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3.5

Valid until: Mar 12th, 2020 4:00PM