Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 17th, 2012 4:00PM

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

mike eder, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Be aware that early season hazards lurk beneath the snow surface.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Light snowfalls are expected overnight, with slightly more snow in the Icefields. A second front will follow with increasing amounts of snow expected to arrive on Monday and Tuesday.

Snowpack Summary

Variable snow distribution in the alpine ranging from 0 - 220cm. There is consistent coverage around 60cm at treeline.? Two midpack crusts are providing good support. Below treeline, snow depths are? below critical levels to cause an avalanche.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been observed in the last week. Several slab avalanches to size 2.5 occurred approximately 10 days ago, on a glaciated NE lee aspect in the high alpine.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Monday

Problems

Wind Slabs

This layer was easy to identify 10cm down from the surface. On lee aspects this may sweep a person off their feet.

Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

This layer showed in tests around the Columbia Icefields area from 2200m to 2400m. It released with a sudden planar character between two dense layers which indicates that it could be a buried surface hoar layer.

Avoid unsupported slopes.Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Nov 18th, 2012 4:00PM