Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 15th, 2016 4:00PM

The alpine rating is low, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Loose Dry and Wind Slabs.

garth lemke, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Expect sluffing in steep terrain. Manage your ski line with this in mind.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Saturday to Monday will be very light snow. 4cm may arrive Sunday night with slight increase in wind speed and remain SW. Temperatures will range from -5 to -14. Other than light snow Sunday evening, no significant weather expected as far out as Wednesday.

Snowpack Summary

Pockets of wind slab can be found in exposed terrain tree line and above. These pockets are sitting on a weak layer of facets. The mid-pack remains supportive but continues to facet. Light snowfall is burying the well developed surface hoar and will become something to watch for into the future or if buried under the windslab.

Avalanche Summary

Reports of small size 0.5 loose dry avalanches on steep terrain along the Icefields Parkway today 48 hours old. Visibility was poor Friday.

Confidence

Problems

Loose Dry

Small loose dry avalanches should be expected in steep terrain. May entrain significant snow in gulley features.

Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

Previous SW winds have created pockets wind slab at treeline and above. These slabs are sitting above a weak facet layer and may be triggered in steep terrain.

Watch for areas of hard wind slab in steep alpine features.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 16th, 2016 4:00PM