Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Jan 5 – 6, 2014Parks Canada
View on map
Archived · expired 13 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
Open full map

Highlights

Moderate to strong winds are starting to redistribute the recent storm snow into sheltered areas which could in turn over load the basal weak layer.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    2–3
    Wind slab layers at the top of the snowpack can be triggered and may step down to the deeper instability at the bottom of the snow pack.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    2–4
    Triggering this layer from a shallow area is possible and would have high consequences in terrain features of any size.

Weather Forecast

Very cold temperatures tonight will be followed by a return to milder temps next week. Moderate to strong ridge top winds will lead to a redistribution of the recent storm snow onto sheltered aspects.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 30cm of new storm snow overlies existing wind slabs which in places has a very weak faceted basal layer. Below tree line the snow pack has very little support except in isolated open areas where wind slabs may exist.

Avalanche Summary

Road patrols in the South end of the forecast area observed one size 3 slab that failed on the basal facets and a size 2.5 storm slab at TL. Numerous smaller slabs from cross loaded features and sloughing was also observed.

Confidence

Regions covered