Jasper

A storm starting Wednesday night and continuing into Friday will increase avalanche hazard as it brings in up to of 30cm of snow and strong winds.

The Icefields Parkway will be closed for avalanche control on February 26th until February 27th from Parker Ridge to Saskatchewan Crossing. Check for updates on https://511.alberta.ca/

Low

• We are uncertain due to the track and intensity of the incoming weather system.

Earlier this week, local ski resort saw a skier triggered windslab, size 2, 2480m, North aspect, 40cm deep and 300m long. Their explosive control work had a similar result on the adjacent slope.
Icefield's patrol Wednesday saw no natural avalanches but gusty conditions noted with windslabs forming.

15-30cm of incoming snow will be redistributed by strong winds building windslab layers over various old hard surfaces, or a patchy surface hoar layer below treeline. This incoming snow will add load on top of a late January weak layer consisting of facets and spotty surface hoar 20-40cm below the surface, adding to a potential persistent slab. The midpack is generally dense and well consolidated with basal facets in thin snowpack areas.

Thursday:

Flurries.

Accumulation: 12 cm.

Alpine temperature: High -8 °C.

Ridge wind west: 40 km/h gusting to 95 km/h.

Freezing level at valley bottom.

Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries.

Precipitation: Trace.

Alpine temperature: Low -17 °C, High -12 °C.

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

Freezing level at valley bottom.

A mix of sun and cloud.

Precipitation: Nil.

Alpine temperature: Low -19 °C, High -16 °C.

Ridge wind west: 10-25 km/h.

Freezing level at valley bottom.

• Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
• Recent strong wind means wind slabs may be found farther downslope than expected.
• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.