Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 19th, 2013 4:00PM

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

steve blake, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Early season conditions persist. Pay attention to wind loaded features and watch for hazards lurking below the surface.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Winds as switching to southerly and bring light snow across the area for the next couple days. Temperatures will be seasonal, between -10 and -20.

Snowpack Summary

Wind transport has been evident at alpine ridge crests. Any windslab development on lee terrain features will be over-lie extremely weak basal layers.

Avalanche Summary

A size 2.5 slab occurred today at 2500m on a south easterly slope near the Whirlpool drainage. From a distance this, slab looked like a thin windslab over basal facets and ran to ground. While there is variable snow distribution on the landscape, there is still potential for slab avalanches to occur in isolated terrain.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Problems

Wind Slabs

Increased winds from the south and west have contributed to a new load on alpine lees.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

A patchy rain crust continues to linger making stability suspect on features that hold early season snow.

Assess start zones carefully and use safe travel techniques.Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Dec 20th, 2013 4:00PM