Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 20th, 2016 4:00PM

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

Max Darrah, Parks Canada

Jasper.

The snowpack is largely faceted and becoming less supportive, making for difficult travel below treeline. Significant sluffing should be expected in steep terrain which makes group management and terrain selection very important.

Summary

Weather Forecast

10cm of snow expected throughout the week in a series of light flurries. This snow will be accompanied by moderate Southwest winds. Temperatures expected to rise gradually, reaching a high of -2C in the alpine on Friday, then cooling. Freezing levels will reach 2100m on Friday then drop.

Snowpack Summary

Pockets of wind slab can be found in exposed terrain treeline and above. Recent 10cm of new snow has helped to freshen things up a bit, but along with moderate Southwest winds has increased the likelihood of touchy new wind slabs on lee aspects. Midpack is weak below treeline due to faceting.

Avalanche Summary

Field team ski cut a size 2 loose dry avalanche in steep terrain that ran 400m and entrained snow. This avalanche condition should be expected in steep terrain at treeline and below.

Confidence

Problems

Loose Dry

Loose dry avalanches should be expected in steep terrain, and may entrain significant amounts of snow in gully features.

Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.On steep slopes, pull over periodically or cut into a new line to manage sluffing.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

Moderate Southwest wind and new snow will continue to create windslabs in the alpine and at treeline over the course of the week.

Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 21st, 2016 4:00PM