Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 13th, 2019 4:00PM

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

jonas hoke, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Minimize overhead hazard while the snowpack reacts to the rising freezing levels.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Sun and rising freezing levels to around 2000m on Sunday. Winds look to be light south-westerly. A detailed mountain weather forecast is available from Avalanche Canada.

Snowpack Summary

Exposed terrain at TL and above have been hammered with wind. In sheltered terrain the upper snowpack is continuing to settle with warm temps. A generally strong mid snowpack overlies deep persistent weakness' at the bottom of the snowpack. Use caution in shallow areas where these deep weakness might be more reactive.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity to report from field teams. Be a part of the Avalanche Forecasting team by reporting your field trip this weekend on Avalanche Canada's Mountain Information Network.

Confidence

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Use caution in shallow snowpack areas where deep weakness might be more reactive to a human load. Build trust slowly in the new snowpack before committing to any large rideable slope.

Avoid steep convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 4

Wind Slabs

Strong SW winds, and significant amounts of snow available for transport have created wind slab in lee features.

If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Cornices

Recent SW winds have added to existing cornices, this combined with strong diurnal temperature fluctuations could cause cornices to fail and trigger deep instabilities.

Minimize exposure to big slopes with cornices, especially during the heat of the day.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 14th, 2019 4:00PM