Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Dec 10 – 11, 2019Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 7 years ago

Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Ski quality is good but caution is advised as snow coverage over hazards such as rocks and trees may be thin. Avoid steep wind-loaded terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind slabs are present on lee slopes and cross-loaded features

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Isolated to very specific sheltered locations at treeline.

  • Loose Dry

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

    Specific to steep terrain. Ice climbers should pay particular attention to this as entrenched loose snow may have the volume to knock climbers off their stance.

Weather Forecast

Partly cloudy for Tues and Wed with no precipitation forecasted.  Alpine winds will ease to light on Tues and shift westerly.  Temperatures will rise to below freezing on Tues then fall back to -9 on Wed.  Light flurries are possible on Thursday.

Snowpack Summary

Recent storm snow is mostly unconsolidated except where exposed to wind where soft slabs have been formed.  The snow depth is variable at all elevations.  There is a reactive crust in the mid-pack and a weak basal facet/depth hoar layer at the base of the pack.

Avalanche Summary

Several large avalanches were observed out of steep alpine features and numerous dry loose observed out of steep terrain were observed yesterday (Sunday).  No new observations noted in the Columbia Icefields by 2 field teams today.

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations on Tuesday

Regions covered