Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Feb 1 – 2, 2020Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 7 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
5 · Extreme
Treeline
5 · Extreme
Below
5 · Extreme
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Highlights

Stay out of avalanche terrain!

The Icefields Parkway and the Maligne Lake road are closed until avalanche control efforts can be completed. Check 511.alberta.ca/ for updates.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1.5–4

    60 cm forecast with Extreme winds. We should see widespread avalanche activity at all elevation with large avalanches running full path.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1.5–3.5

    It is very likely that the amount of snow forecasted will overload this weakness and we will see avalanche running to ground on this layer. No one should be entering avalanche terrain at this time!

Weather Forecast

Heavy snow overnight Friday, 35 cm accompanied by Strong to Extreme SW winds

Saturday will have heavy snow through the morning with an additional 25 cm with Strong to Extreme SW winds. The temperatures and wind drop abruptly in the afternoon.

Sunday will be clear skies and -20 C .

See Weather synopsis here: Avalanche Canada Mountain Weather Forecast

Snowpack Summary

Continuing strong SW winds have created wind slab (Soft to hard) tree line and above. Most fetches are stripped. This overlies a weakening mid-pack comprised of varied facet forms. This provides some questionable bridging over the basal facets and DH. HS average at TL: ~145cm Everything changes tonight with a 60cm storm forecasted.

Avalanche Summary

Surprisingly little activity observed along the Parkway on Friday. 1 Size 2 windslab was observed on Churchill N start zone (Alp, NE aspect, 40 deg slope).

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Saturday

Regions covered