Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Dec 11 – 12, 2014Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 12 years ago

Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Pineapple express continues to bring warm and windy weather with snow fall occurring at treeline and alpine elevations only.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Recent wind loading has produced new touchy wind slabs on lee and cross loaded features in sheltered areas.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Persistent slab mainly around treeline is showing some signs of consolidation with less extensive whumphing observed on yesterdays field trip.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Mild temperatures and rain have increased the likelihood of loose wet slides at lower elevations.

Weather Forecast

Remaining relatively mild into Thursday followed by a cooling trend into the weekend. Snowfall is expected at treeline elevations and above and will be accompanied by moderate to strong south westerly winds.

Snowpack Summary

Touchy wind slabs are forming in lee and cross loaded terrain features in the alpine and treeline. Mid-pack is gaining strength with recent mild temperatures. Bonding with the November crusts near the bottom of the snowpack appears to be improving. Whumphing at treeline elevations is less dramatic and more localized than the previous week.

Avalanche Summary

Limited observations in the alpine and treeline today due to the poor visibility. Size 2 avalanche had occurred in the last 24 hours at a below treeline location in the Maligne Lake area.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Thursday

Regions covered