Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 22nd, 2015 4:00PM

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

rupert wedgwood, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Temperatures remaining cool in the -15 to -20 range. No precipitation expected before the weekend. Winds will be generally light and westerly. Expect stronger winds in the alpine and at ridge tops.

Snowpack Summary

Generally supportive and well settled snowpack above 1700m. Steady southwesterly winds over the past 3 days have produced thin wind slabs in the alpine on the lee side of wind exposed terrain. The Dec 3 interface down 60cm appears to be bonding well. Snowpack continues to facet with recent cold temperatures. The base of the snowpack is weakening.

Avalanche Summary

In the past 24hrs there has been one new observation of a class 2 slab avalanche from steep alpine NE facing terrain which was triggered by a large cornice failure in the icefields area.

Confidence

The weather pattern is stable on Wednesday

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs can be expected to be most developed in the alpine on cross winded and NE facing terrain.

Caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.Avoid steep slopes below cornices.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

The Dec3 interface down 50cm appears to be bonding well, but be sure to evaluate steep and committing features, particularly around treeline.

Carefully evaluate big terrain features by digging and testing on adjacent, safe slopes.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 23rd, 2015 4:00PM