Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Dec 30 – 31, 2019Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 7 years ago

Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate

Highlights

The snowpack remains weak and stagnant. Stick to low angle sheltered terrain for the best skiing. Avoid steep wind and cross-loaded slopes as dangerous wind slab present there may be easily triggered.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Most fetch zones are stripped and snow has been redistributed to lee slopes and cross-loaded gulleys.  Triggering is likely from shallow spots. Once triggered, the avalanche could awaken weaknesses at the base of the pack creating large avalanches.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Ice climbers should use caution in steep confined features where dry loose snow is present above.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

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

    Whumphing was observed on this weakness below treeline.  This weakness could be triggered by large loads or from thin spots in the snowpack.

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations on Monday

Weather Forecast

Temperatures will fall into Monday with increasing cloud, light flurries and rising SW winds.  Similar conditions continue on Tuesday.  The cloud and flurries persist into mid-week, however temperatures will gradually warm and winds will ease.

CAA's Mountain Weather Forecast for more specific details.

Snowpack Summary

6-25mm surface hoar growing up to 2200m in sheltered areas. SW winds have created wind slabs on lee features treeline and above. These surface windslabs sit on a variety of buried wind slabs and facetted weak layers. In sheltered areas, the snowpack is weak and faceted. The bottom of the snowpack is also weak with large facets and depth hoar.

Avalanche Summary

No new observations along the Icefields Parkway today.

Regions covered