Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Jan 3 – 4, 2019Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 8 years ago

Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

The incoming storm is expected to initiate a significant natural avalanche cycle.Highway 93N will be closed from the Saskatchewan Crossing to 10km South of the Icefields center on Thursday at 07:00 hrs. Expected opening by Friday evening.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Fresh snow and strong to extreme SW winds at all elevations, expect wind effect in all open terrain.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–3
    The new snow has added to the load on the Dec 11th weak interface. Buried more than a meter deep in some locations, this layer is strengthening but has been reactive in shallow snowpack areas recently.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–3.5
    The base of the snowpack is weak and facetted. In shallow snowpack areas the new snow will likely overload this weakness.

Weather Forecast

A series of fronts moving inland from the central coast will give heavy snowfall and strong winds to our area. Thursday: Up to 35cm of snow will fall with strong to extreme south west winds. Alpine temps will be high -5, Low -7.Friday: 15cm of snow with ongoing wind.A detailed mountain weather forecast is available from Avalanche Canada.

Snowpack Summary

Incoming new snow and strong SW winds will build fresh windslabs in open terrain and storm slabs in sheltered areas.  Expect natural activity to increase. The Dec. 11th layer (surface hoar and facets) persists down 50-110cm, and has been gaining strength but continues to produce avalanches in shallow snowpack areas.

Avalanche Summary

A skier triggered and several natural slabs were noted today on NE aspect slopes in thin shallow snowpack area's around the Columbia icefields. A field trip into the parkers area today noted wide spread wind effect in any open terrain, with sustrugi forming in open TL features and above.

Confidence

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

Regions covered