Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 7th, 2018 4:00PM

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

Jonas Hoke, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Incoming new snow will improve the skiing somewhat, hopefully without overloading the weak interfaces left in the wake of the December drought.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Returning to a more normal thermal structure, milder air in the valleys and colder air aloft. A Westerly flow aloft will bring a series of Pacific weather systems through our area for the next few days.Monday: Flurries. Accumulation: 5-10 cm. Alpine temperature: Low -8 °C, High -4 °C. Ridge wind Light SW. Freezing level: 1500 metres.

Snowpack Summary

Exposed areas have pockets of wind slab covering variable drought interfaces - facets, surface hoar, sun and wind crusts. The upper snowpack is facetted and sugary in sheltered areas. The mid snowpack is generally supportive. Two buried crusts, one mid snowpack and one near the base, have the potential to become reactive with future loading.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed or reported.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Problems

Wind Slabs

Several layers of wind slab exist from multiple wind events - reactivity may vary from site to site.

Approach steep lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Loose Dry

Main concern is for weak, unconsolidated snow on steep rocky features as well as areas in the alpine where a small sluff can build mass.

Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 8th, 2018 4:00PM