Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 23rd, 2017 4:00PM

The alpine rating is low, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

Tim Haggarty, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Not too much good skiing to be found but ice climbs have benefited from the cooler temperatures. Watch for isolated pockets of windslab and stay warm out there!

Summary

Weather Forecast

Cold air drifting down form the NW is well on its way to chasing out the last of the moisture as a few clouds and stiff NW breezes were seen Saturday. As this air becomes firmly established overnight, winds will diminish, skies will clear and the real cold will settle in. Alpine temperatures will drop below -25C Sunday and near -35C into Monday.

Snowpack Summary

Recent moderate SW winds combined with a few cm of recent snow has formed isolated pockets of windslab in exposed areas at upper elevations. Below this recent snow, an old snow interface of facets, crust and surface hoar was buried December 18. Several other noticeable crusts lie dormant deeper in the pack.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported or observed.

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

Small amounts of recent snow has been blown into thin windslabs over the Dec 18 drought layer. These slabs will be found mainly over crusts or wind effect however surface hoar and facets were buried as well and would warrant more caution.

Use caution above ledges and cliffs where small avalanches may have severe consequences.Watch for surface cracking and stiffer surface layers of snow. Avoid wind loaded terrain.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1

Valid until: Dec 24th, 2017 4:00PM