Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 23rd, 2016 4:02PM

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

a.l. horton, Parks Canada

Jasper.

A widespread weak faceted base is the root of all concern. Be very cautious in all steep terrain for slab and loose snow avalanches.

Summary

Weather Forecast

A few more cm of snow possible through Sunday. Seasonable alpine temperatures with SW winds picking up on Monday.

Snowpack Summary

SW (M-S) winds have built slab on top of a weak faceted snowpack on exposed tree line and alpine features. Mid-pack starting to loose strength.Â Some pin-wheeling and snowballing on steep terrain below tree line on all aspects on top of a very weak faceted base.

Avalanche Summary

A couple of sz 2.5 slab avalanches in the alpine (a cornice and natural) on south and NE aspects south of the Icefields along the Parkway. Loose snow avalanches should be expected in steep terrain at tree line and below. Touchy slab conditions can be expected below ridge lines in open tree line areas and in the alpine.

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations on Sunday

Problems

Wind Slabs

A significant SW wind event produced touchy wind slabs in lee and cross-loaded terrain at tree line and above.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Loose Dry

Loose dry avalanches should be expected in steep terrain, and may entrain significant amounts of snow in gully features.

On steep slopes, pull over periodically or cut into a new line to manage sluffing.Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 24th, 2016 4:00PM