Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Dec 18 – 19, 2016Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Exact wind speeds and snow amounts remain uncertain for Sunday evening into Monday. Monitor for intense snow transport building slabs.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1–3
    Although this layer has been dormant, it is still a concern and is widespread between 2100-2600m.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Cold temps have weakened the snow clinging to steep terrain, and as a result shedding and sluffing should be expected.

Weather Forecast

Sunday will be -20 to -15 degrees with light West winds and possibly flurries. Sunday to Monday evening will be slightly warmer temperatures -16 to -12 degrees and 5-10cm of snow with increasing West winds. Winds may gust strong to extreme range in wind prone areas at higher elevations Sunday night and Monday.

Snowpack Summary

Cold temps are promoting facetting in the snowpack breaking down internal cohesion, especially below 2100ms. Where snowpack is shallow, expect to be standing on the ground. Deeper snowpack areas have faceted down to the Nov12 crust (45-90cm deep). May be a buried SH layer down 5cm to keep an eye on.

Avalanche Summary

No patrol Saturday. Brrrrrrrr coooooold. No new avalanches reported.

Confidence

Wind effect is extremely variable on Monday

Regions covered