Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Jasper.
Weather Forecast
Moderate amounts of snow (10-15cm) in the Columbia Icefields tomorrow with more forecast into next week together with strong SW winds is going to increase the avalanche hazard.
Snowpack Summary
Recent snowfall overlies a layer of small surface hoar and surface facets. A relatively hard mid-pack is providing bridging strength over weak basal facets at tree line and above. Below tree line has a supportive (albeit shallow) mid-pack. Recent wind loading has produced touchy new slabs on Easterly terrain at treeline and above.
Avalanche Summary
Skier accidental at Marmot basin - size 1.5 on steep Easterly aspect below ridge top at 2100m. This slab was formed by recent loading of the new snow in the past 3 days and slid on the crust/facet interface down 40cm. No natural activity observed on road patrol between Jasper and Saskatchewan crossing.
Confidence
Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Sunday
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 3
Wind Slabs
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2