Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 16th, 2013–Dec 17th, 2013

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Jasper.

While the snow distribution is highly variable at all elevations, there is still potential to trigger a slab avalanche in isolated terrain features.

Weather Forecast

The weather will continue to bring snow flurries with small, but steady accumulations. Temperatures are expected to become colder by Wednesday. Gusting winds should reduce sometime Wednesday or Thursday. Light snowfalls will continue into the weekend.

Snowpack Summary

The alpine is a mosaic of scoured ground and windslabs on the lee side of terrain features. Gullies on lee aspects will be heavily wind oaded. Strong gusting winds are constantly changing directions. Expect windslab development in unusual locations. The October 27 raincrust is still lurking with facets developing above and below it.

Avalanche Summary

A size 2 slab was remotely triggered from below by a skier in the Bald hills on Sunday. The debris stopped short of his location. This occurred on a Northeast aspect in the lower alpine. While there is variable snow distribution on the landscape, there is still potential for slab avalanches to occur in isolated terrain.

Confidence

Wind effect is extremely variable

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs will continue to develop with the new snow and gusting winds. The turbulent winds seem to constantly change direction and gusts are pushing into extreme wind speeds. Expect to find wind slabs in unusual terrain features.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

Even a small wind slab avalanche has the potential to step down to this layer and to release the facets to ground.

Assess start zones carefully and use safe travel techniques.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3