Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Jasper.
Weak facets below new snow and wind slabs are making for dangerous avalanche conditions. Conservative terrain choices advised through the weekend.
Icefields Parkway and Maligne Lake road remain closed for maintenance - AB511 for up to date info.
Weather Forecast
Saturday: Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries. Temp High -5 C. Wind SW 20 gust 65 km/h. FZL valley bottom
Sunday: Scattered flurries up to 5cm. Temps: Low -9 C, High -6 C. Wind W 20 km/h. FZL valley bottom
Monday: Flurries up to 7cm. Temp: Low -13 C, High -3 C. Wind W 20 gust 65 km/h. Freezing level 1600m.
Snowpack Summary
New snow with strong SW are creating wind effect and building wind slabs on leeward slopes. These winds slabs are are not bonding well with the previously faceted surface. The mid snowpack is faceted with the December persistent weak layers buried 40-70cm. Basal facets and depth hoar can be found at the base of snowpack.
Avalanche Summary
Several large wind slabs, persistent slabs and loose dry avalanches initiated all asp and elev with explosive control on the Icefields Parkway and Maligne road on Thursday. Road clearing ongoing and will take time for both roads to be passable. Many avalanches picked up and entrained much of our faceted mid pack especially at tree line and below.
Confidence
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slab development will continue with moderate to strong SW winds. Expect wind slabs to be reactive to a riders weight.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
- If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Loose Dry
Watch for overhead pillows or full ledges where loose snow will accumulate.
- Loose dry avalanches could easily trigger Wind Slab or Persistent Slab avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5
Persistent Slabs
A persistent slabs sit over 2 different layers depending on elevation. Below 1950m, the persistent weak layer is the Dec 1 rain crust. Above 1950m, facets buried on Dec 26 are the primary concern.
- Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5