Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 21st, 2014 4:00PM

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

max darrah, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Although natural avalanches are unlikely right now, human triggered avalanches are still possible. Be cautious around shallow areas in big terrain, where the consequence of triggering an avalanche would be very serious.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Spring like diurnal temperature fluctuations from -15C at night to -2C during the day at 2100m. Freezing levels follow the same pattern, rising to 1900m by mid-day on Wednesday and as high as 2100m by the weekend. Light SW winds and light scattered precipitation over the next 48hours.

Snowpack Summary

Shallow and weak snowpack sits on 10-20cm of basal facets. Midpack hard slabs provide bridging above treeline and into the alpine. Extensive scouring at upper elevations. Surface hoar growth observed in the last few days up to size 5mm below treeline and up to size 3mm above treeline.

Avalanche Summary

Natural activity has tapered off. No new avalanches observed or reported.

Confidence

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Natural activity has tapered off on this layer, but it is still possible to trigger big avalanches in shallow locations.

Be aware of the potential for wide propagations.Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Wind Slabs

Cross loaded gullies may be the most attractive after the intense wind scouring in the alpine, but careful evaluation is essential to check for the presence of touchy windslabs.

Caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.Watch for areas of hard wind slab in steep alpine features.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 22nd, 2014 4:00PM