Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 21st, 2016 4:00PM

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

max darrah, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Recent moderate winds have created isolated pockets of fresh windslab. Stay aware for subtle changes in wind affect as you transition into higher elevations.Great time to practice field skills by examining the interface at the Nov 12 crust.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Light scattered flurries accompanied by light South Westerly wind. Cooling and clearing trend over next 72 hours.

Snowpack Summary

Lower density snow sits on top of a 5-10cm thick crust between roughly 2100m and 2600m. Southwest winds have created new pockets of wind slab, which may be touchy in crossloaded areas within the elevation band where the crust exists. Below 1800m, survival skiing and/or hiking is the technique of choice.

Avalanche Summary

There was a significant skier triggered avalanche on Parker Ridge Sunday that was reported by the public. Slide was remotely triggered from 50m away by the third skier in the party and was a 60cm windslab that ran on the Nov 12 crust. Unconfirmed dimensions are 40m wide and ran for 250m; North. No involvement. No natural activity observed today.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Problems

Wind Slabs

Be cautious of isolated pockets of wind slab in immediate lee and cross-loaded terrain in the alpine.

Use caution in lee and cross-loaded areas. Recent wind loading has created new wind slabs.Be cautious of buried obstacles in shallow snowpack areas.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Nov 22nd, 2016 4:00PM