Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Nov 18th, 2015–Nov 19th, 2015

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

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

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.

Highway 93 will remain closed into Thursday due to driving conditions. The recent storm brought a significant amount of snow. Allow it to settle and stabilize.

Weather Forecast

The weather will be cold and stable next few days. No new significant snow expected. Winds will be light to moderate out of the West.

Snowpack Summary

The recent storm brought 60cm. Snow depths vary between 70 to 140 cm in the Icefields. Generally unsupportive below treeline and improving at you approach TL and above. Moderate to strong ridge top winds have created soft slabs particularly on lee aspects. Threshold values have been reached on some slopes and snow remains available for transport.

Avalanche Summary

Explosive work on Parkers slabs had one shallow size 2.5 slab and a couple smaller releases. Some natural avalanches up to size 3 within last 24 hours were noted in the alpine mainly on lee steep slopes.

Confidence

The weather pattern is stable on Thursday

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

Between 85 - 135cm of storm snow between Nov. 12th and 17th storm in the Icefields area has fallen on a shallow early season older snowpack of facets, crusts and possibly surface hoar. Winds will evolve this into a windslab eventually.

Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline. Recent storm snow has formed touchy slabs.Minimize exposure to avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Loose Dry

Expect point releases from cliffs and steep smooth surfaces. This amount of new snow sluffing can build enough mass to bury a person.

Be very cautious with gully features.Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2