Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 18th, 2016 4:00PM

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

Max Darrah, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Conditions have changed in the alpine. Be aware of touchy new windslabs as you transition into wind affected terrain at treeline and above.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Temperatures to remain mild but below freezing above 1200m. Light scattered flurries amounting to less than 5cm, with moderate Southwest winds in the alpine over the next 36 hours.

Snowpack Summary

Pockets of wind slab can be found in exposed terrain tree line and above. These pockets are sitting on a weak layer of facets. 10cm of new snow in the past 72 hours has helped to freshen things up a bit, but along with moderate Southwest winds has increased the likelihood of touchy new wind slabs on lee aspects.

Avalanche Summary

Reports of small size1 loose dry avalanches on steep solar terrain along the Icefields Parkway today. One size 1.5 windslab was observed at 2300m on a cross loaded feature.

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

Moderate Southwest winds are transporting the recent 10cm of snow and forming touchy new windslabs in the alpine, particularly in lee and crossloaded terrain features.

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

Loose Dry

Small loose dry avalanches should be expected in steep terrain, and may entrain significant amounts of snow in gully features.

Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 19th, 2016 4:00PM