Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 19th, 2018 4:12PM

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

jonas hoke, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Snowpack information for the high alpine is scarce, take a cautious approach and use a thorough assessment process if you venture into this terrain.

Summary

Weather Forecast

The current ridge of high pressure will hold until Wednesday, giving mostly clear skies and light ridge winds. Treeline temperatures will fluctuate between -8 and 0. Click here for the Avalanche Canada mountain weather forecast.

Snowpack Summary

Winds have scoured W ridges to bare rock in many places. Windslabs can be found on NE through S, lee aspects. The Oct 25 crust is 2-4cm thick and down 60 to 80cm. Hard sudden collapse failures have been observed immediately below this crust in test profiles. Early season hazards lurking beneath the shallow snowpack remain a concern.

Avalanche Summary

Dry loose snow avalanches up to size 2 were observed recently from steep solar terrain in the alpine.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Problems

Wind Slabs

Windslabs linger on NE to S alpine lee features. Most Westerly aspects are stripped bare from previous transport.

Use caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

Assume all skiable slopes have this crust, and assess the strength of the interface before jumping into any committing lines.

Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, and shooting cracks.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Valid until: Nov 20th, 2018 4:00PM