Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 28th, 2013–Dec 29th, 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

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

Regions: Jasper.

Happy holidays! Don't let your guard down with triggering the deep basal weakness.

Weather Forecast

The area may receive 5-10cm of snow between Sunday and Tuesday. Expect seasonal temperatures and gusting 40km/hr westerly winds at higher elevations.

Snowpack Summary

5-10cm last night in the Icefields area is not enough to change the snowpack. It remains generally shallow, weak, with a variably distributed deep persistent slab overlying weak basal layers of depth hoar, crusts, and/or facets. Windslabs have formed in exposed treeline and above areas. Below treeline remains unsupportive.

Avalanche Summary

Four new natural slab avalanches size 2.5-3 was observed today in the alpine on a West aspect in shallow rocks, and steep unskiable terrain at 2400m running on basal weakness. The avalanches were restricted to small area between Boundary peak and Panther falls where snowfalls were slightly more and the temperature dropped quickly in 2 hours.

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Expect this layer to persist for a long time. Best to make conservative choices as triggering this layer could have severe consequences. Likely trigger locations are shallow locations but everything is shallow right now.

Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.Avoid steep, open slopes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3

Wind Slabs

New snow overnight and winds will continue wind slab development. Fresh snow may be hiding this condition.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets. Be aware of wide variation in snowpack depthCaution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2