Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 6th, 2017 4:00PM

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

a.l. horton, Parks Canada

Jasper.

It's a great year to be an ice climber as ice conditions are fantastic in the Jasper area.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Expect highs around -14 and cold lows with light SW winds.Â No snow through the weekend but 10 cm possible on Monday.Â The bitter cold returns and will continue through next week.

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack is shallow, faceted and weak.Â The Nov. crust can still be found about 30 cm from ground but is faceting into large depth hoar.Â The upper half of the snowpack has layers of wind slabs.Â

Avalanche Summary

Small loose dry avalanches were reported in the Maligne Lake area on Friday out of steep rock slab alpine features.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations on Saturday

Problems

Loose Dry

Arctic temperatures faceting the surface snow causing it to lose cohesion and release loose dry avalanches in steep alpine rocky terrain. Particularly concerning for ice-climbers in confined terrain.

Be very cautious with gully features.Use caution above cliffs where small avalanches may have severe consequences.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

Cold temperatures and hard slab conditions make triggering less likely. Triggering from shallow spots remains a possibility.

Watch for areas of hard wind slab in steep alpine features.Caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 7th, 2017 4:00PM