Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Dec 20 – 21, 2012Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 14 years ago

Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Strong winds at ridge top elevations in the Icefields area are increasing the slab avalanche danger.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    Moderate test results at treeline in the Portal creek area occurred on a Southeast facing 35 degree slope below a 25cm wind slab. Strong SW winds in the Icefields area at upper elevations are likely adding to this condition.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    2–3
    A supportive mid-pack is adding strength to the snowpack above this weakness. Shallow areas should be considered suspect.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Thursday

Weather Forecast

Strong Southwesterly winds at elevation with the possibility of 10cm of new snow in the Icefields area. Temperatures will remain cool through to the weekend.

Snowpack Summary

Windslabs in the alpine are the primary avalanche concern. These are more likely to be encountered in the Columbia Icefields area where the strongest winds have been observed. In the Marmot Pass area on December 18th, surface slabs  failed with a moderate shear near treeline elevations. The mid snowpack remains supportive for the time being.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been observed in the past 24 hours.

Regions covered