Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 7th, 2017 4:00PM

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

a.l. horton, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Cold and clear on Sunday.Â Snow beginning late Sunday night and through Monday with 15 cm possible.Â Winds are expected to be light during the storm then blow moderate from the NW on Tuesday as they bring back the cold dry air.Â Cold, clear and dry through the rest of the week.

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack is shallow, faceted and weak. The Nov. crust can still be found about 30 cm from ground but is faceting into large depth hoar. The upper half of the snowpack has layers of wind slabs.

Avalanche Summary

Small loose dry avalanches were reported in the Maligne Lake area on Friday out of steep rock slab alpine features.Â No avalanche patrol on Saturday.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Monday

Problems

Loose Dry

Faceting the surface snow causing it to lose cohesion and release loose dry avalanches in steep alpine rocky terrain. Particularly concerning for ice-climbers in confined terrain.

Use caution above cliffs where small avalanches may have severe consequences.Be very cautious with gully features.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

Cold temperatures and hard slab conditions make triggering less likely. Triggering from shallow spots remains a possibility.

Caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.Watch for areas of hard wind slab in steep alpine features.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 8th, 2017 4:00PM