Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Jasper.
Dig down and investigate the snowpack before committing to a line. Report your findings on the MIN.
Weather Forecast
Wednesday: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Precipitation: Trace. Alpine temperature: High -9 °C. Ridge wind southwest: 15 km/h.
Thursday: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Precipitation: Trace. Alpine temperature: Low -10 °C, High -7 °C. Ridge wind southwest: 15-35 km/h.
Snowpack Summary
15-30cm of soft or dense snow (location dependent) over a generally firm mid-pack. Dec. Surface Hoar is down 40cm in isolated sheltered spots. An early season crust is down 40-100cm and decomposing. It overlies facets and depth hoar at the bottom of the snowpack but is well bridged by the mid-pack above unless found at shallow location.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches observed. No patrol yesterday
Confidence
Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Friday
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
In the alpine hard slabs sit overtop of facets. Dec 14th surface hoar to 6mm can be found in sheltered locations up to 2200m.
- Whumphing, shooting cracks and recent avalanches are all strong indicators of an unstable snowpack.
- Be aware of the potential for avalanches due to buried surface hoar in isolated areas.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Deep Persistent Slabs
Be cautious of thick to thin snowpack areas being likely trigger locations. The persistent slabs have the potential to step down to the weakness at the base of the snowpack.
- Use caution in thin snowpack areas.
- If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3.5