Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 30th, 2015 4:15PM

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

max darrah, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Cornices have been active in the past 72 hours, and careful attention is needed when traveling on or below corniced ridges.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Temps forecasted to drop to -20C by Saturday AM, then warming back up to -10C by the evening. Precipitation amounts are uncertain, with variability in the models, but up to 15cm of new snow possible in the next 24 hours. Winds will increase to moderate SW overnight, then expected to be variable throughout the weekend.

Snowpack Summary

Recent warm temperatures and rain followed by cooler temps have produced a widespread crust up to 2400m on all aspects. Above this, previous wind affected surfaces in exposed areas and wind slabs on lee aspects. We received 5-10cm of new snow today with minimal wind below treeline, but gusting to 50km/h in the alpine and loading North East aspects.

Avalanche Summary

Poor visibility today. Touchy cornices have been observed and reported in the past 48 hours. Some cornice falls triggered slabs up to size 2 at the ski hill during recent natural cornice failures.

Confidence

Problems

Persistent Slabs

This layer remains a concern in isolated areas above treeline and may be triggered by large loads such as cornices or from shallow areas by skiers. Explosive control work yielded many results at this interface early in the week.

Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.Avoid steep slopes below cornices.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Storm Slabs

The interface between storm snow and the melt-freeze crust from the recent warm temperatures warrants investigation. Touchy conditions should be expected in steep terrain, particularly on NE aspects below 2400m.

Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.Avoid steep lee and cross-loaded features

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 31st, 2015 4:00PM