Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 28th, 2014 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Deep Persistent Slabs.

deryl kelly, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Careful evaluation of the snowpack and potential consequences will be required before we move out of the regular ski lines into bigger terrain.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Expect an interruption to the sunshine over the day Wednesday with minimal snowfall. There has been a consistent inversion over the last few days with warm temps up high and cold air sinking. Anticipate valley bottom temps near -15 to -20 and upper level temps in the -10 to -5 range.

Snowpack Summary

The glorious clear skies and light winds have created surface hoar from size 1-4mm at all elevations. An overall shallow snowpack sits on 10-20cm of basal facets. Previous wind slabs are providing bridging strength over deep weaknesses in the snowpack above treeline and into the alpine. Extensive scouring in the high alpine.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported.

Confidence

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

You are more likely to trigger this layer below treeline where the upper snowpack is more consistently shallow and weak. You still need to be cautious in shallow areas above treeline.

Carefully evaluate and use caution around thin snowpack areas.Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Jan 29th, 2014 4:00PM