Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Dec 6 – 7, 2023Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 3 years ago

Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate

Highlights

The avalanche hazard has risen from Tuesday's storm plus rain at lower elevations destabilizing slopes in the short term. Make conservative decisions until the new snow has had time to settle and stabilize.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Wind and new snow are increasing windslab reactivity particularly in Lee features. They have the potential to initiate the deep persistent layer and create a larger avalanche.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Give the storm snow a couple of days to settle.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2

    The snow pack is already very weak at the bottom and the new snow is adding to its stress. The problem may be reaching threshold values to "wake up" and become more active as it will take a few days to stabilize.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

A low elevation roadside avalanche size 1 near Parker's ridge released mid-storm touching the side of the road. Several storm slab size 1.5 noted. Visibility poor and limited to roadside but suspect natural cycle occurring at higher elevation. Temperatures were warm and precipitation was heavy rain or snow.

Snowpack Summary

Tuesday brought 30cm of snow with strong winds forming windslabs and storm slabs. This overlies a weak surface hoar layer or a thin sun crust on south and west aspects. Winds will continue to redistribute the storm snow at all elevations. The snowpack is 35-45cm in depth with a weak base.

Weather Summary

Tuesday night will be flurries, 8 cm of snow, -4 °C, light gusting moderate winds, and 1500m freezing level. Wednesday will be cloudy, flurries, 5 cm of snow, -3 °C, 1800m freezing level, and light west winds.

The Mountain Weather Forecast is available from Avalanche Canada https://avalanche.ca/weather/forecast

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Don't let the desire for deep powder pull you into high consequence terrain.

Regions covered