Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Dec 21 – 22, 2013Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 13 years ago

Avalanche danger

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

Hazards lurk just below the surface as early season conditions persist. Snowpack depth remains variable across the landscape. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    Turbulent winds are redistributing snow into sheltered terrain features. Anything that is steep enough to slide and has sufficient snow to ski on should be evaluated for windslabs.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–3
    The Oct 27 raincrust has a sporadic distribution. An avalanche on this layer could still step down to ground and have severe consequences.

Weather Forecast

Flurries will occur through weekend with seasonal temperatures ranging from -12 to -20. Temperatures may warm up to -5 on Monday bringing with it 10-15cm and moderate-strong SW winds.

Snowpack Summary

Turbulent winds continue to add to the variable snow distribution at treeline and above. Wind slabs are developing in lee terrain features. These windslabs sit above the sporadically distributed October 27 raincrust with weak facets at the bottom of the snowpack. Colder temperatures are tightening the snowpack but at same time promoting faceting.

Avalanche Summary

Thursday, a size 1.5 slab occurred at 1800m on an Easterly slope. This was a thin windslab over basal facets and ran to ground. Visibility was reduced to valley bottom on Friday.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Regions covered