Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 17th, 2020 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.

jasper snow safety,

If it's not a new breakable crust, watch out for fresh wind slabs.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Tonight: 8 cm of snow. Alpine temperature: Low -3 °C. Wind: 20 km/h gusting to 55 km/h. Freezing level 1700 metres

Wednesday: 15cm of snow. Alpine temperature: Low -6 C High -3 C. Wind SW 15 km/h gusting to 55 km/h. Freezing level 1600m

Thursday: 7cm of Snow. Alpine temperature: Low -13 C High -5 C. Wind SW 10-30 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom

Snowpack Summary

Warm temps and rain up to treeline have formed a new surface crust. Up to 10cm of new snow brings Treeline snowpack to 45-75cm with overall supportive travel. The Nov. 4th rain crust exists up to 2600m depending on location in the forecast area, and is about 30cm deep. SW winds have formed wind slabs in the alpine and at treeline.

Avalanche Summary

A few Loose Dry avalanches in steep terrain were observed from the road today up to size 1.5.

On Sunday a size 2 skier triggered wind slab avalanche above the Hilda Hostel at Parker Ridge failed down 70cm sending blocks of concrete like snow into the trees.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

New snow and moderate SW winds are forming wind slabs in the Alpine and high Treeline features. A skier triggered wind slab at Parker Ridge on Monday shows that deep wind slabs are still reactive to human loads. See the MIN more details.

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

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Dry

An icon showing Loose Dry

Up to 15cm of snow with cooling temperatures are forecasted for the Parker Ridge area by Wednesday night.

  • Watch for signs of slab formation, such as whumpfing and shooting cracks.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Nov 18th, 2020 4:00PM