Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Feb 16 – 17, 2013Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 14 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

We may see 20cm of new snow on Saturday night. If we do, expect to see the avalanche danger increase.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Wind and little new snow dominate the alpine landscape. On certain lee features this crust is thick enough to form a wind slab,  and it may be possible to trigger an avalanche on steep unsupported terrain from thin snowpack areas.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1–3
    The snowpack in the alpine and at tree line consists of multiple wind laminated layers.  How the terrain has influenced the formation and character of these layers on a given slope is the main question to keep in mind while traveling.   

Weather Forecast

Cooler temperatures and some new snow is expected for Saturday afternoon and evening.

Snowpack Summary

Hard wind slab is bridging the weak basal facets above treeline.  Limited whumpfing has been observed at treeline in the Parker Ridge area.  Very little new snow in the past few days.  Moderate SW winds continues to build pockets of thin windslab on lee aspects at treeline and above. The snowpack is weak and faceted below treeline.

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday, several loose snow avalanches were observed along SE facing alpine ridge lines.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Saturday

Regions covered