Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 27th, 2013 4:00PM

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

mike eder, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Forecasted snow has been reduced to only light snow flurries in between the sunny periods through to Wednesday. Winds will be moderate from the West / Northwest in the alpine and temperatures should remain seasonal in the -5 to -15 C range

Snowpack Summary

In the alpine and down to treeline, the widespread hard slabs provide a strong bridge over any underlying weakness. Some solar affect has occurred in the high alpine on Westerly slopes. Below treeline, the snowpack is facetted throughout but no slab overlies this weakness.

Avalanche Summary

One size 2.5 slab avalanche was observed on Saturday, originating in a cross loaded alpine gully on a Southwesterly aspect at approximately 2800 meters indicating that the sun is gaining strength in the afternoons.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Problems

Wind Slabs

Hard slabs are widespread and present the only real problem in the snowpack. Although it seems unlikely, it could be possible to trigger an avalanche in a steep pocket with a hard slab. Mostly these slabs are bridging any weakness underneath.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 28th, 2013 4:00PM