Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 12th, 2019 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs, Persistent Slabs and Loose Dry.
Jasper Snow Safety,
Parks Canada
Delicious skiing can be found where winds have not impacted the snow. Be vigilant for rocks just under the snow surface. JA
Summary
Weather Forecast
Friday will be cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries, trace snowfall, high -9, West winds 10-20 km/h. A mix of sun and cloud. Saturday will be similar with colder temperatures.
For More details: Mountain Weather Forecast
Snowpack Summary
The top 30cm remains unconsolidated except where exposed to wind where soft slabs have been formed. The snow depth is variable at all elevations. There is a crust/facet layer distributed through the region in the mid-pack with mixed reactivity and a weak basal facet/depth hoar layer at the base of the pack.
Avalanche Summary
Field day to Parkers Ridge area on Wednesday noted several loose dry up to size 2 out of steep, rocky solar terrain triggered by solar input. The visibility was good and nothing else was observed. Field trip on Thursday noted no new naturals.
Confidence
The weather pattern is stable
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs are present on lee slopes and cross-loaded features
- Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Isolated to very specific sheltered locations at treeline.
- Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
Specific to steep terrain. Ice climbers should pay particular attention to this as entrenched loose snow may have the volume to knock climbers off their stance. Solar input has the potential to trigger this problem.
- Be careful of loose dry power sluffing in steep terrain.
- Be increasingly cautious on sun exposed slopes.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 13th, 2019 4:00PM
