Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 14th, 2017 4:00PM

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

deryl kelly, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Supportive skiing can still be found in sheltered areas.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Alpine temperatures -8 to -10 on Sunday. Continued variable brisk winds in the valley bottom and strong SW values at ridge top.

Snowpack Summary

A layered, complex, shallow, faceted and weak snowpack. Multiple surface and buried wind slabs overlying a variety of faceted weaknesses to ground.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed or reported.

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

Variable winds have created a complex situation of cross and, reverse loaded features through the region. Stripped ribs, ridge-tops, and open features threaten to push users into areas where the snow is over-loaded and created layered wind-slabs.

Caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.Be careful with wind loaded pockets. Be aware of wide variation in snowpack depth

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Dry

The faceted snowpack has little cohesion producing loose dry avalanches in steep terrain. This is concerning for ice-climbers and skiers in confined/exposed terrain.

Be very cautious with gully features.Use caution above cliffs where small avalanches may have severe consequences.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 15th, 2017 4:00PM