Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Jasper.
Good quality turns can be found in sheltered locations. Forecast inversion and solar input could increase sensitivity of avalanche problems Thursday.
Weather Forecast
Thursday
Mostly sunny.
Precipitation: Nil.
Alpine temperature: High -7 C.
Ridge wind west: 15 km/hr.
Freezing level valley bottom.
Friday
Mostly cloudy.
Precipitation: Nil.
Alpine temperature: Low -11 C, High -9 C.
Ridge wind light west.
Freezing level valley bottom.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy.
Precipitation: Nil.
Alpine temperature: Low -12 C, High -9 C
Snowpack Summary
Widespread wind effect and stripping in alpine from previous strong to extreme SW winds. Wind slab in specific areas tree line and above. Thin sun crust on steep solar aspects up to ~2300m. The midpack is mostly supportive. Weak facet layer down ~20-30cm and a crust down 40-60cm below 1950m, faceting but still reactive in snowpit tests.
Avalanche Summary
Patrol and tour south end of Churchill range noted no new avalanche activity.
Confidence
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Incremental new snow from Monday and previous strong to extreme SW winds added to wind slab development specific alpine and tree line features. Watch out for hollow sounding snow where a hard wind slab sits over weak facets.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
- Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
The slab problem overlies different layers depending on elevation and aspect. Lower elevations has a rain crust 40-60cm down with weak facets on top reacting to tests. Above 1950m, a buried facet layer down 40-50cm is the primary concern.
- 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