Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 24th, 2016 4:00PM

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

a.l. horton, Parks Canada

Jasper.

A widespread weak faceted base is the root of all concern. Be very cautious in all steep terrain for slab and loose snow avalanches.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Clear warm conditions with light winds expected until Tuesday night then there is the potential for some snow (up to 10 cm) with moderate SW winds.Â (Don't hold your breath)

Snowpack Summary

SW (M-S) winds have built slab on top of a weak faceted snowpack on exposed tree line and alpine features. Mid-pack starting to loose strength.Â Very weak faceted snowpack below tree line.

Avalanche Summary

A couple of sz 2.5 slab avalanches in the alpine (a cornice and natural) on south and NE aspects south of the Icefields along the Parkway observed on Saturday.

Confidence

The weather pattern is stable on Monday

Problems

Wind Slabs

A SW wind event produced touchy wind slabs in lee and cross-loaded terrain at tree line and above.

Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Loose Dry

Loose dry avalanches should be expected in steep terrain, and may entrain significant amounts of snow in gully features.

Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.On steep slopes, pull over periodically or cut into a new line to manage sluffing.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 25th, 2016 4:00PM