Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 29th, 2016 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 Persistent Slabs.

Parks Canada a.l. horton, Parks Canada

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Jasper.

Ice climbing  conditions along the Parkway are great!Skiing, not so much.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Light snow overnight with moderate SW wind.  Seasonal  temperatures.  Clearing and colder temperatures expected later this weekend.

Snowpack Summary

Continued moderate SW winds building slabs in lee features and cross loaded gullies. Weak layers include; buried surface hoar (Dec 11) in sheltered NE aspects around treeline and the Nov 12 crust approximately 30cm from the ground. Generally, in the Alpine there is only snow in lee areas and the snowpack is faceted and weak. 

Avalanche Summary

Previous avalanche activity up to Sz 2 on N-NE-E slopes below ridgeline and to Sz 3 on a westerly aspect in steep, rocky, cross loaded terrain between 2400-2700m.  No new observations due to poor visibility.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations on Friday

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Windslabs will vary in sensitivity to triggering.  Evaluate each slope carefully.
Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, and shooting cracks.Caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs
Recent large avalanches have been reported on this layer as snow load increases.
Be cautious in shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Dec 30th, 2016 4:00PM

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