Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 28th, 2014 4:16PM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is high, and the below treeline rating is considerable. Known problems include Storm Slabs and Loose Dry.

mike eder, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Avoid steep open slopes on lee aspects as a stiffened slab could release above on the deep weak layers. Avoid ice climbs with any large features like ice daggers or steep snow loaded features. Let the snow settle and temps even out for a few days.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Snowfall will taper through Friday night bringing clear skies and cold temperatures for the weekend under an arctic air mass. Clouds will begin to develop by Monday, but no real precipitation is expected for the next few days.

Snowpack Summary

An extra 50cm has fallen overnight to add to the 70cm of snow which had fallen in the alpine at the start of the storm. Moderate to strong winds started from the SW at the beginning of the storm are now shifting to the Northerly directions as the arctic air moves in. The storm snow overlies a weak snowpack consisting of rain crusts and facets.

Avalanche Summary

Slab avalanches to size 2.5 were observed at treeline and alpine in the icefields area on Northeast aspects. Loose avalanches to size 2 are occurring at all elevations and aspects. Steep cutbanks and side slopes below treeline are releasing as small slab avalanches.

Confidence

The weather pattern is stable on Sunday

Problems

Storm Slabs

The storm slabs should tighten up with the cooler temperatures, but use caution when choosing your lines as an avalanche could be started from a shallow location.

The new snow will require several days to settle and stabilize.Minimize overhead exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Loose Dry

These slides are starting small high up in the rocks and sweeping the gullies clean. Ice climbers need to avoid climbs in gully features for the next few days.

Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.Avoid travelling under cliffs that are exposed to sluffing from above.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Nov 29th, 2014 4:00PM