Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 18th, 2015 4:00PM

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

garth lemke, Parks Canada

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.

Summary

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

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

Valid until: Nov 19th, 2015 4:00PM