Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 11th, 2020 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs, Loose Dry and Deep Persistent Slabs.
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 Icefields 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
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
Expected Size
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
Expected Size
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
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 12th, 2020 4:00PM
