Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 25th, 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.

mike eder, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Select conservative lines as the underlying basal weakness is not going away anytime soon.

Summary

Weather Forecast

A small front will pass through in the next day bringing cloudy periods and light snow flurries. Temperatures are expected to cool overnight and remain below 0 during the day at treeline and above. Another system is expected to develop by mid week which will bring a mixture of sun and cloud with only light snowfalls into the weekend.

Snowpack Summary

A shallow and weak snowpack sits on 10-20cm of basal facets.Â Previous wind slabs provide bridging strength to the snowpack above treeline and into the alpine. Extensive scouring in the high alpine. Clear skies and light winds have developed surface hoar at all elevations leading to another weak layer in the future.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed on Saturday. Friday's field patrols observed three size 1.5 to size 2 slabs on solar aspects in the alpine.

Confidence

Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

A supportive slab over a shallow spot in the snowpack could provide the energy for a small avalanche to step down into this layer.

Be aware of the potential for wide propagations.Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Wind Slabs

Recent small wind slabs in loaded terrain features released on solar aspects and stepped down to the weak facet creating a full depth avalanche. Watch for wind loaded pockets over unsupported terrain such as between pitches of an ice climb.

Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.Caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 26th, 2014 4:00PM