Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 21st, 2016 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Loose Dry and Wind Slabs.

Parks Canada a.l. horton, Parks Canada

Email

Jasper.

Heads Up!  Conditions are changing with snow and strong SW winds building slab conditions over a weak facetted base.

Summary

Weather Forecast

10cm of snow possible into the weekend with freezing levels rising to 1900 m on Friday.  Strong SW winds will continue until Sunday.

Snowpack Summary

Strong SW winds building slab on top of a weak faceted snowpack on exposed tree line and alpine features.  10 cm of new snow possible will increase the likelihood of touchy new wind slabs on lee aspects. Mid-pack is weak below tree line due to faceting.

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday the field team ski cut a size 2 loose dry avalanche in steep terrain that ran 400m and entrained snow. This avalanche condition should be expected in steep terrain at tree line and below.  Touchy slab conditions can be expected below ridge lines in open tree line areas and in the alpine.

Confidence

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

Problems

Loose Dry

An icon showing Loose Dry
Loose dry avalanches should be expected in steep terrain, and may entrain significant amounts of snow in gully features.
On steep slopes, pull over periodically or cut into a new line to manage sluffing.Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Significant wind event (Strong SW) transporting available snow to produce touchy wind slabs in lee and cross-loaded terrain in the alpine.
Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 22nd, 2016 4:00PM

Login
Join