Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 23rd, 2015 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is considerable. Known problems include Loose Wet, Storm Slabs and Persistent Slabs.

deryl kelly, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Aloha Pineapple Express! Bring gore-tex; tight soft shell may not help today!

Summary

Weather Forecast

From Hawaii with love. We're in for a heavy dose of tropical weather through the weekend! A pineapple express is tracking in from the west and with it comes warm temps and moisture. This means rain in the lower elevations, anything below 2000ms and at times extremely high winds in the higher elevations.

Snowpack Summary

Below 2000ms will see an infusion of rain and/or wet snow. With a highly variable snowpack in the region, expect this to overload lingering instabilities like the Dec 20 interface, down 15 to 40cm. Scoured open slopes in the alpine will likely stay scoured as these systems move through. Sheltered areas may see up to 20cm accumulation.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported, yet!

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Saturday

Problems

Loose Wet

Steep and shallow areas below TL will likely get saturated and lose support underfoot. Avoid consequential areas where heavy wet slides may push you over or into terrain traps. Low elevation ice climbs will be prone to wet sluffs and wet climbing.

Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.Avoid ice climbs that are in terrain traps below large start zones.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Storm Slabs

Strong W winds continue to scour open slopes and redistribute that snow into wind slabs on lee aspects and cross loaded features. This extra load combined with a skier could be sufficient to initiate an avalanche

Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.If you are increasing your exposure to avalanche terrain, do it gradually as you gather information.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

The weak layer of surface hoar and facets from December can still be found and may become susceptible to triggering with new snow load.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 24th, 2015 4:00PM