Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Jasper.
A strong alpine temperature inversion with solar influence on Wednesday may have had some impact on the snowpack creating a crust on the lower alpine and upper treeline elevations.
Weather Forecast
Thursday: Cloudy with sunny periods. Alpine temperature: High -1 °C. Wind SW: 10 km/h. Freezing level: 1700m.
Friday: Cloudy with sunny periods. Alpine temperature: Low -8 , High -1 Wind SW: 15 km/h. Freezing level: 1500m.
Saturday: A mix of sun and cloud. Alpine temperature: Low -4 °C, High -1 °C. Wind SW: 15 km/h. Freezing level: 1800m.
Snowpack Summary
Previous winds have stripped the snow from all fetch in the alpine and open tree line. Soft snow can still be found in specific sheltered locations at tree line and below. Snow depth at tree line is around 80cm with the Nov 4 crust down 50cm. The snowpack is supportive to skis. Suspect crust from the inversion on solar at treeline and lower alpine.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches observed or reported in the region. No field observations or patrol today.
Confidence
Due to the number of field observations
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Previous SW winds in the alpine loaded lee slopes. Be cautious of local wind influences where reverse or cross loading may have occurred.
- Watch for Wind Slabs low on slopes, and in usually sheltered terrain, due to previous extreme winds.
- If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
The Nov. 4 is down about 50cm at tree line (2000m) and breaking down. Be careful around "thin to thick" areas where deep slabs could be triggered.
- If triggered the storm slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5