Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 2nd, 2019 4:23PM

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

jasper snow safety, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Highway 93N, Icefields Parkway remains Closed from Athabasca Falls to Sask River Crossing. Maligne road is also closed. New expected opening for both: Sunday at 18:00. Check Alberta511 for latest updates

Summary

Weather Forecast

Temperatures dropped and will continue to drop overnight; the forecasted high for Sunday, -31°C. Mix of snow and cloud with a significant inversion forecast. May be worth getting out of the valley bottom and into warmer temps above; warm like -20°C, (slightly better than -31)!A detailed mountain weather forecast is available from Avalanche Canada.

Snowpack Summary

40cm new snow throughout the forecast region. This puts the Jan18 buried surface hoar, down 50cm. Previous to this storm a strong midpack was bridging the basal weakness. Storm snow may overload that bridging and, large avalanches could be expected to travel full path if triggered. Avoid all avalanche terrain until the new snow has time to settle.

Avalanche Summary

Poor visibility through the forecast region. No new natural avalanches observed in the Icefields. Forecaster's sympathetically triggered multiple sz 1.5 to 2 on the same control route. Highway avalanche control had similar results, up to size 2 and burying the road. Help forecast - share observations HERE, on the Mountain Information Network!

Confidence

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.Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

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

Avoid exposure to overhead 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: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1.5 - 3.5

Valid until: Feb 3rd, 2019 4:00PM