Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Jasper.
Great skiing at the moment! Recent storm snow is settling well but exposed terrain is holding pockets of wind slab.
Weather Forecast
Sunday: A mix of sun & cloud with no precipitation. Alpine high -7 C. Wind W 10-20 km/h. Freezing level 1400m.
Monday: A mix of sun & cloud with isolated flurries and trace precipitation. Alpine temp Low -14 C, high -7. Wind NW 10-25. Freezing level valley bottom.
Tuesday: Some cloud with isolated flurries & trace precipitation. Alpine temp low -23 C
Snowpack Summary
Sun crust forming on solar aspects. 10-30cm of recent storm snow is settling well and so far has only been a concern in exposed areas where wind slab development has occurred. A crust down 25-40cm is decomposing but can still be found below 2500m on south aspects. A widespread weak facet layer still lurks at the bottom of the snowpack in all areas.
Avalanche Summary
One natural size 2 cornice avalanche was observed on Thursday on Churchill. This cornice failure entrained loose dry snow below. Pin wheeling noted on steep solar aspects at tree line and below. No additional observations.
Confidence
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Winds remain northerly causing reverse loading near ridge top. Wind slabs development possible on all aspects.
- Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Loose Wet
So far the strong overnight freeze has limited the effect of the sun but mild temps on Sunday may awaken this problem during the warmest period of the day on solar aspects.
- Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
- Use extra caution on solar slopes or if the snow is moist or wet.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: Below Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5