Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Jasper.
New forecasted snow and strong SW winds will continue to build on the existing windslab hazard. Expect poor visibility and drifting which will make any overhead hazard hard to assess. Avoid any exposure during periods of intense loading on Saturday.
Weather Forecast
Overnight: Flurries. up to 10 cm. Temp: Low -14 C. Ridge wind SW: 25-40 km/h.
Saturday: Periods of snow. up to 15 cm. Temp: High -7 C. Ridge wind SW: 25 km/h gusting to 70 km/h.
Sunday: Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries. Total storm accumulation: 25cm. Alpine temp: Low -15 C, High -11 C. Ridge wind SW: 15 km/h gusting to 50 km/h.
Snowpack Summary
Incremental amounts of new snow being redistributed by moderate SW winds; exposed alpine features continue to be scoured. In sheltered areas 20-30cm settled snow sits atop a supportive midpack. Soft slab forming in open areas. Our basal crust/facet/depth hoar combo near the ground remains a layer of concern. Snowpack depth 100-140cm Icefields area.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches reported by forecasting team in the Icefields today.
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Confidence
Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Saturday
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
New snow and moderate to strong SW winds building new windslab in lee and crossloaded features. Watch for hollow sounds and cracking. Consider testing smaller slopes before committing to larger features; windslabs could initiate deep layers.
- Use conservative route selection, choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.
- 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: 1.5 - 2.5
Deep Persistent Slabs
Triggering this layer would be a high consequence event - cautious decisions and thorough investigation is necessary. More likely to trigger this layer in transitions from thin snowpack to deeper loaded pockets or terrain features.
- Use caution on open slopes and convex rolls
- Avoid thin rocky or unsupported terrain features.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5