Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Jasper.
Warming trend and increased solar input could wake up weak layers within the snowpack on Sunday.While the winds continue to scour the alpine, look out for loose wet avalanches below tree line on solar aspects in the afternoon.
Weather Forecast
Sunday:
A mix of sun and cloud.
Precipitation: Nil.
Alpine temperature: High -7 °C.
Ridge wind southwest: 20 km/h gusting to 45 km/h.
Freezing level at valley bottom.
Monday:
Flurries.
Accumulation: 7 cm.
Alpine temperature: Low -11 °C, High -7 °C.
Ridge wind southwest: 25 km/h gusting to 75 km/h.
Freezing level at valley bottom.
Snowpack Summary
Heavy wind effect at tree line and above. Snowpack is facetted and complex. December facet layers down 20-40cm still reactive in tests; buried surface hoar found in isolated locations.
Avalanche Summary
Road patrol on Maligne road observed few small dry loose avalanches in steep alpine terrain, and one large wind slab in steep alpine NE aspect. Icefields road patrol observed no new natural avalanche activity.
Confidence
Freezing levels are uncertain
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent snow is available for transport. Wind slabs are likely in lee slopes.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
- Be aware of the potential for wide propagations due to the presence of hard windslabs.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Loose Wet
Loose wet will be of most concern in the afternoon (between 13:00- 16:00) as the solar input and temperatures increase.
- Avoid terrain traps, such as gullies, where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.
- Avoid ice climbs exposed to steep rocky terrain on solar aspects during the middle of the day.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: Below Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5
Persistent Slabs
Persistent slabs sit over different weak layers depending on elevation & aspect. Above 1950m a buried facet layer down 20-40cm is the primary concern. Below 1950m, a faceting crust down 40-70 is presenting a more stubborn version of a similar problem
- Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.
- Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 3