Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 29th, 2014 4:13PM

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

mike eder, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Cold temperatures dominate the region. Overhead hazards like hanging ice daggers will be extremely brittle and could fall without notice.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Cold temperatures will continue, it's time to accept it... winter is actually here. On the up side, it will be sunshine and lollypops for the next few days as the north winds shift west into Monday and the temps will rise painfully slow over the week.

Snowpack Summary

Total snowfall amount for this storm is 115cm and that tapers off south of Parkers Ridge. There appears to be a mid-pack weakness; likely facets, that is the most active. The entire year's snowpack is sitting over a weak base of rain crust and facets.

Avalanche Summary

An extensive avalanche cycle occurred throughout the forecast area from Maligne south to Mt Wilson up to size 3.5. Heli-controlled bombing down the 93 north highway corridor got mixed results up to sz 2.5 with numerous sympathetic releases and buried the road at Parkers Ridge and spilled over the cliffs at Mt. Cirrus (Weeping Wall).

Confidence

The weather pattern is stable

Problems

Storm Slabs

The cold temps did tighten up the snowpack a bit but this layer has proven quite active through the region with sympathetic releases on the surrounding slopes.

The new snow will require several days to settle and stabilize.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Loose Dry

These slides are infrequent but could have serious consequences in confined areas or on ice climbs.

Avoid travelling under cliffs that are exposed to sluffing from above.Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Nov 30th, 2014 4:00PM