Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Dec 21 – 22, 2019Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 7 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
3 · Considerable

Highlights

Stay out of avalanche terrain as this storm tests our weak snowpack. Weeping wall & polar circus will be closed Saturday and Sunday due to avalanche control on the Icefields Parkway. Emergency road closures are possible depending on storm intensity.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2.5

    Continued S-SW winds are creating wind slabs in NW to SE lee aspects. Sensitivity expected to be reactive in the immediate future and may wake deeper, weaker interfaces.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely - Certain
    Size
    1–2.5

    As new snow accumulates, Expect the hazard to increase.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–3

    Triggering the windslab problem has potential to step down to this layer.

Weather Forecast

Continued precipitation tonight and into tomorrow could see up to 30cm

Saturday: Periods of snow. Accumulation: 16 cm. Alpine temperature: High -3 C. Mostly light ridge wind occasionally gusting to 40 km/h. FL: 1700M

Sunday: A mix of sun and cloud. Precipitation: Nil. Alpine temperature: Low -13 C, High -9 C. Ridge wind light to 15 km/h. FL at VB

Snowpack Summary

10cm new over the last 6 hours, Light winds continue building variable strength wind slabs on lee and crossloaded features at or above treeline. Persistent interfaces layered through the snowpack that might wake as the up to as the 35cm's of new snow forecasted in the next 36 hours accumulates.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed today with poor visibility and a field trip to Parkers ridge area.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Regions covered