Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 9th, 2017 4:00PM

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

Garth Lemke, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Early season conditions exist with low snow cover and hidden hazards just lurking beneath the surface.

Summary

Weather Forecast

1-3cm of snow is forecast for the next 48 hours. Temperatures will hover -6 to -11 with light westerly winds. Some sun may break through on Saturday but expect overall cloudy conditions. Little change expected through the weekend.

Snowpack Summary

Field data is limited. Below 1700m there is no significant snow. At 2000m and above 30cm plus can be expected with deeper wind pockets. Snow distribution will vary greatly with aspect, elevation, and wind exposure. Treeline and alpine gully features plus some lee alpine slopes will be wind loaded. Ground features are marginally covered.

Avalanche Summary

No Patrol Thursday. It is not uncommon at this time of year for climbers to trigger small avalanches from gully features. Even small rides over rocky terrain, cliffs, or terrain traps can have serious consequences. Wednesday's patrol to Maligne observed several solar induced loose and windslab avalanches on Steep S aspects up to size 2.

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

This is an early winter avalanche problem that exists in isolated pockets where the snow has drifted into small wind slabs and the slope is steep enough to slide. Mainly a concern for ice climbers in steep gullies or walking above cliffs.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.Avoid terrain traps, such as gullies, where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Dry

Avoid terrain traps or steep SW overhead terrain where sun, if it comes out, could initiate an avalanche. Likely a short lived afternoon problem being days are short and sun is relatively weak.

Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Nov 10th, 2017 4:00PM