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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 1st, 2021–Dec 2nd, 2021
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Jasper.

Maligne Lake Road and the Icefields Parkways are both currently closed. The Icefields Parkway could open from Jasper to Parker Ridge late Thursday morning. Check Alberta 511 for updates. This new snow will take time to settle so keep it conservative.

Weather Forecast

Thursday: A mix of sun and cloud.

Alpine temperature: High -9 C.

Ridge wind west: 20 km/h gusting to 50 km/h.

Freezing level at valley bottom.

Friday: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries.

Precipitation: Trace.

Alpine temperature: Low -16 C, High -13 C.

Mostly light ridge wind occasionally gusting to 35 km/h.

Freezing level at valley bottom.

Snowpack Summary

About 30 cm of storm snow fell in the last 24hrs in the Parker Ridge area. About 20cm of new snow around Maligne Lake. Freezing level is about 2100m with the snow line around 1200m. The mid-pack is around 80cm thick above a thin crust near the ground in some locations. Snowpack is shrinking rapidly at lower elevations.

Avalanche Summary

Multiple, natural wet loose avalanches up to Size 2 observed on the Icefields Parkway early in the storm. We can expect more have run since the storm started.

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

We can expect storm slabs in the trees and in non wind affected tree line locations. In the alpine with strong SW winds we can expect wind slabs to be forming.

  • Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow and wind.
  • If triggered the storm slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

The average 1 meter snowpack has a crust near the ground surrounded by weakening large grain facets. This is a layer to watch as our neighbors are experiencing activity on it.

  • Avoid thin rocky or unsupported terrain features.
  • Use caution on open slopes and convex rolls

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3