Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 25th, 2012 4:16PM

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

steve blake, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Merry Christmas! Enjoy your holidays safely.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Cold temperatures and little or no precipitation is expected for the next several days.

Snowpack Summary

Thursday's 10 cm and another 8cm on Saturday has buried previous wind slabs at tree line and above. The mid-pack remains supportive however expect it to be loosing strength in shallow locations as the facetting process continues.

Avalanche Summary

Friday's avalanche control work at the Icefields released several loose avalanches up to size 2, from very steep terrain with thin snow cover at treeline. The few natural avalanches that have been observed share the same characteristics.

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

Thursday's 10 cm and Sunday's 8cm of snow with little wind has covered the widespread wind slab condition that remains following last week's wind event. Current winds remain light and little change is expected in the snowpack.

Caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

The once strong snowpack is starting to show signs of losing strength as faceting conditions dominate the weather picture. Triggering avalanches is most likely to happen in thin snowpack areas.

Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

2 - 4

Valid until: Dec 26th, 2012 4:00PM