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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 25th, 2021–Dec 26th, 2021
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Jasper.

Happy Holidays to everyone from Jasper Visitor Safety!Should you brave the cold, be vigilant for new wind slabs.

Weather Forecast

Sunday will be sun with mixed clouds and flurries, a trace of new snow, -28C, and light East winds. Monday will be similar with slightly warmer temperatures. Tuesday may have more sun but remain frigid.

Snowpack Summary

35cm of snow arrived Dec 22-23 with moderate to strong SW winds. Wind slab developed in the alpine and on exposed terrain features at treeline. The mid-pack is generally supportive with an exception of a weak rain crust 30-40 cm down found up to 1950m. Cold temperatures will accelerate faceting.

Avalanche Summary

Friday's avalanche control produced numerous 30cm thick wind slabs up to size 2 on wind loaded open tree line features. One result buried the road 2m deep for a 100m. Surprisingly, explosive triggers did not trigger the deeper instabilities. Numerous dry loose resulted from explosives and natural activity also occurred up to size 1.5.

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations on Sunday

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Up to 35cm of new snow Dec 22-23rd with moderate to strong winds created wind slabs on lee and cross loaded features. Slab development can be found low in terrain features. A rain crust 30cm down is a suspect weak layer in BTL wind affected snow.

  • Use caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.
  • Watch for stiffer feeling snow. Avoid areas that appear wind loaded.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Loose Dry

A Dry loose problem will persist for the short term particulary from steep terrain.

  • Avoid travelling on ledges and cliffs where sluffing may have severe consequences.
  • Be careful of loose dry power sluffing in steep, confined or exposed terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

This problem, although stubborn, persists in isolated alpine terrain and can initiate with a large trigger or rapid loading. Use extra caution in thin areas were humans are most likely to trigger this high consequence layer.

  • Use caution in thin snowpack areas.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3