Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Nov 17 – 18, 2012Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 14 years ago

Avalanche danger

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

Watch for early season obstacles under the snow.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2
    This layer was easy to identify 10cm down from the surface. On lee aspects this may sweep a person off his feet.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2
    This layer showed in tests around the Columbia Icefields area from 2200m to 2400m. This released in a sudden planar character between two dense layers which indicates that it could be a buried surface hoar layer.

Weather Forecast

2-4 cm of snow and freezing levels up to 1800m for Saturday. Lite snow on Sunday. Monday into Tuesday may bring higher snow amounts.

Snowpack Summary

Variable snow distribution in the alpine ranging from 0 - 220cm. There is consistent coverage around 60cm at treeline.  Two midpack crusts are providing good support. Below treeline, snow depths are  below critical levels to cause an avalanche.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been observed in the last week. Several slab avalanches to size 2.5 occurred approximately 10 days ago, on a glaciated NE lee aspect in the high alpine.

Confidence

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

Regions covered