Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 13th, 2019 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs, Persistent Slabs and Loose Dry.
Jasper Snow Safety,
Parks Canada
Go get it before the wind does. Treeline has some excellent skiing right now!
Summary
Weather Forecast
Sunday will be a mix of sun and cloud, no new snow, low -19 and high -16, and West wind 15 km/h. Monday will be the same as Sunday.
For More details: Mountain Weather Forecast
Snowpack Summary
The top 30cm remains unconsolidated except where exposed to wind where soft slabs have been formed. The snow depth is variable at all elevations. There is a crust/facet layer distributed through the region in the mid-pack with mixed reactivity and a weak basal facet/depth hoar layer at the base of the pack.
Avalanche Summary
Friday's field trip to Pyramid mountain area noted nothing new and no signs of instability and a consolidated snowpack. Thursday's field trip to Churchill slide path noted no new naturals. Wednesday's trip to Parkers Ridge noted several loose dry up to size 2 out of steep, rocky solar terrain triggered by solar input.
Confidence
The weather pattern is stable
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs are present on lee slopes and cross-loaded features
- Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Isolated to very specific sheltered locations at treeline.
- Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
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. Solar input has the potential to trigger this problem.
- Be increasingly cautious on sun exposed slopes.
- 874
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 14th, 2019 4:00PM
