Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 3rd, 2018 4:00PM

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

max darrah, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Enjoy the mild temps and keep your fingers crossed for 10cm on the weekend!

Summary

Weather Forecast

Stable mild temperatures, freezing levels remaining below 1500m, pressure dropping towards the weekend, bringing moderate SW winds and light snowfall up to 10cm.

Snowpack Summary

Cold temps have facetted the upper snowpack. Isolated pockets of wind slab in ALP areas sitting on an old snow interface of facets, sun crust, wind effect, or surface hoar. 2 buried crusts extend into the lower limits of the alpine, both are dormant. The upper crust is providing mid-pack strength, but has facets above and below it.

Avalanche Summary

Isolated small loose snow avalanches occurred in steep alpine terrain with today's warming temps. 2 X size 2 naturally triggered slab avalanches observed in the Columbia Icefield Area on steep, cross-loaded gully features on solar aspects in the alpine.

Confidence

Due to the quality of field observations

Problems

Loose Dry

Expect point release sluffing from steep terrain, particularly mid-afternoon.

Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

Be aware of steep gully features that may be loaded enough to release a small slab.

Approach steep lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.