Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 15th, 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 and Wind Slabs.

deryl kelly, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Good quality skiing reported in the forecast area! Get at it before the wind does!Remember, triggering is possible so continue to choose carefully!

Summary

Weather Forecast

The daily diurnal cycle of temperature fluctuations resembles a heart rate monitor (-15 overnight to -3 in the day and back again) and will continue for the next couple of days until we get into a more steady seasonally cold trend. Potentially a bit more precip and moderate wind as we lead into the weekend. Let's hope for an early Christmas dump!

Snowpack Summary

Very nice tightening up of the snow pack! Hard and Moderate low quality shears within the mid-pack are helping forecasters blood pressure drop back to normal levels. Isolated wind slabs still exist in open areas at tree line and alpine elevations. The deeper instabilities are the most susceptible to human triggering from shallow areas.

Avalanche Summary

Natural activity has slowed down but there is plenty of evidence of large deep slides in wind loaded features that have released in the last cycle.

Confidence

Due to the quality of field observations

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

These deep persistent slabs at tree line and sheltered sub-alpine slopes may be triggered from shallow areas within the snowpack.

Carefully evaluate and use caution around thin snowpack areas.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Wind Slabs

Approach loaded, cross-loaded and re-loaded lee features with caution.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 16th, 2014 4:00PM