Avalog Join
Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 29th, 2018–Dec 30th, 2018
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

Regions: Jasper.

Icefields Parkway will remain closed overnight Saturday. Check Alberta-511 for details.

Weather Forecast

New snow totaling 25cm has fallen over the day, tapering off overnight. Sunday, convective flurries are expected to add a further 10-12cm. Strong winds will continue into early next week.  A detailed mountain weather forecast is available from Avalanche Canada.

Snowpack Summary

26cm of new storm snow getting transported aggressively by moderate to strong SW winds.

Avalanche Summary

Poor visibility through the Icefields and Wilson areas due to snow and strong winds. Evidence of a large avalanche cycle in the southern end of the bulletin region where snowfall amounts higher than forecasted. 

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

The new snow has come with strong winds at all elevations. Avoid overhead avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading
Minimize overhead exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

The new snow will fall on to settle snow from last week. Below this the interface with the old snow surface, buried up to a meter deep, is strengthening however, large triggers such as cornices have produced several releases recently.
Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could easily trigger the deep persistent slab.Avoid thin, rocky or unsupported slopes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

The base of the snowpack is weak and facetted. Likely trigger locations are around rocks, where cold air can penetrate to the base of the snowpack, and shallow snowpack locations.
Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3.5