Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 1st, 2019 4:00PM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is high, and the below treeline rating is high. Known problems include Storm Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.

jasper snow safety, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Highway 93N, Icefields Parkway is Closed from Athabasca Falls to Sask River Crossing. Expected opening for both: Saturday at 18:00. (low confidence) Check Alberta511 for latest updates

Summary

Weather Forecast

Periods of snow, at times heavy. Accumulation in Icefields: 18cm overnight Thursday, with a further 20cm on Friday; 8 -10cm Saturday. Temps drop over the day Saturday with an overnight low of -28. Valley bottom freezing levels. Mostly light SW winds, gusting at ridge tops. A detailed mountain weather forecast is available from Avalanche Canada.

Snowpack Summary

Forecasted storm snow over this weekend, 18cm at the time of report, (potentially a further 30cm), will change everything. The existing upper snow pack continues to settle over surface hoar, now down 30cm. Solar aspects have buried surface sun/temperature crusts at TL and below. Below that, a strong mid-pack sits over a deep persistent weakness.

Avalanche Summary

Poor visibility through the forecast region. No new avalanches observed or reported. Help forecast - share observations HERE, on the Mountain Information Network!

Confidence

The weather pattern is stable

Problems

Storm Slabs

Avoid avalanche terrain until the storm subsides and the snowpack can settle.

Avoid exposure to avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow and wind.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

New snow may overload the deep persistent weakness. Avoid avalanche terrain.

Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow and wind.Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1.5 - 3.5

Valid until: Feb 2nd, 2019 4:00PM