Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Jasper.
Slow cooling over the weekend will temper the natural reactivity of the snowpack but, it will remain a serious hazard to riders looking for fresh turns.
Icefields Parkway and Maligne Lake road remain closed for maintenance.
AB511 for up to date info.
Weather Forecast
Friday: Mainly cloudy. Temp High -6 °C. Wind SW:15 km/h. FZL to valley bottom
Saturday: Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries. Temps: Low -9 °C, High -6 °C. Wind W: 20 km/h gusting to 50 km/h. FZL to valley bottom
Sunday: Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries. 5 cm. Temp: Low -10 °C, High -7 °C. Wind SW: 15-30 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.
Snowpack Summary
New snow with strong SW are creating wind effect and building windslabs on leeward slopes. These windslabs are expected to become more reactive as temperature rises. The mid snowpack remains faceted with the December persistent weak layers buried 40-70cm. Basal facets and depth hoar can be found at the base of snowpack.
Avalanche Summary
Several large windslabs, and loose dry avalanches initiated with explosive control on the Icefields Parkway and Maligne Lake road. Road maintenance ongoing and will take time for both roads to be passable. Downed avalanche patrol though the whole region with varied natural activity noted.
Confidence
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slab development will continue with light snow and moderate to strong SW wind. Expect wind slabs to be reactive to a riders weight.
- If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Loose Dry
Watch for overhead pillows or full ledges where loose snow will accumulate.
- Loose dry avalanches could easily trigger Wind Slab or Persistent Slab avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5
Persistent Slabs
A persistent slabs sit over 2 different layers depending on elevation. Below 1950m, the persistent weak layer is the Dec 1 rain crust. Above 1950m, facets buried on Dec 26 are the primary concern.
- Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 3