Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 10th, 2018 4:00PM

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

Jonas Hoke, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Buried old wind slabs (persistent slab) vary in reactivity and warrant a site by site assessment.

Summary

Weather Forecast

An arctic front has pushed the jet stream to our south. Cold air and L winds will persist through Thursday.Thursdays forecast is for a mix of sun and cloud, alpine lows -18C, highs -14 C, and light wind. A ridge sliding in from the Coast will give warming temps and light W winds in to the weekend.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 15cm of snow (3 days), sits on pockets of old wind slab in exposed areas (these sit on weak facets and srfce hoar many locations), and a facetted upper snowpack in sheltered areas at all elevations. A strong mid snowpack crust is providing some strength around treeline. The faceting process (weakening) is well underway in the lower snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed or reported.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Problems

Persistent Slabs

New snow covers pockets of old wind slabs on a weak interface in exposed alpine and TL features. Bigger, uniform features have the potential to trigger large avalanches and should be treated with caution.

Approach steep lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Dry

New snow covers a facetted/weak upper snowpack in sheltered areas. Be cautious in very steep terrain and in confined features where a small sluff could build mass.

Use caution above ledges and cliffs where small avalanches may have severe consequences.The shallow, weakening snowpack makes for difficult trail breaking at low elevations.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 11th, 2018 4:00PM