Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Jasper.
Rapidly rising freezing levels is stressing our sensitive snowpack.
The Icefields Parkway and Maligne Lake Road are closed Thursday for avalanche control.
Anticipate full reopening on Friday. Check AB511 for details.
Weather Forecast
Overnight: Flurries: 9 cm. Temp: Low -3 °C. SW: 20-40 km/h. Freezing level: 1700 metres.
Thursday: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Trace. Temp: High -2 °C. Wind W: 15 km/h gusting to 45 km/h. FZL: 1900 metres.
Friday: A mix of sun and cloud. Temp: Low -10 °C, High -1 °C. Ridge wind west: 15 km/h. FZL: 1400 metres.
Snowpack Summary
New snow with strong SW are creating wind effect and building windslabs on leeward slopes. These windslabs are expected to become more reactive as temperature rises. The mid snowpack remains faceted with the December persistent weak layers buried 40-70cm. Basal facets and depth hoar can be found at the base of snowpack.
Avalanche Summary
Several natural loose dry avalanches observed on the Icefields parkway and on Maligne lake road over the past 24h
Confidence
Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Wednesday
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slab development will continue with new snow available on wednesday and strong SW wind. Expect wind slabs to become increasingly reactive as temperature rises.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
- If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Loose Dry
Watch for overhead pillows or full ledges where loose snow will accumulate.
- Loose dry avalanches could easily trigger Wind Slab or Persistent Slab avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5
Persistent Slabs
A persistent slabs sit over 2 different layers depending on elevation. Below 1950m, the persistent weak layer is the Dec 1 rain crust. Above 1950m, facets buried on Dec 26 are the primary concern.
- Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2