Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Nov 8th, 2019 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Loose Wet.
Jasper Snow Safety,
Parks Canada
Early season hazards such as rocks and vegetation lurk under a shallow weak snowpack. Ice climbers are most vulnerable to wet loose avalanches in gulleys and terrain traps. It is currently raining to mountain top.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Tonight will be flurries, 6 cm of snow, Low -3 C, 20 km/h gusting to 45 km/h winds, and freezing level 1600 meters. Saturday will be cloudy with scattered flurries, 4 cm of snow, High -2 C and ridge wind west 15-35 km/h with freezing level 2000 meters.Â
A detailed forecast can be found from Avalanche Canada's, Mountain Weather Forecast.
Snowpack Summary
40-70cm sits atop a weak basal crust. Snowpack is moist to the ground with rain and wet snow. Height of snow is variable from zero to 85cm in wind drifted areas. Expect slab development in specific terrain features with incoming precipitation, winds, and high relative humidity. Expect a new crust up to 2400m with rain followed by cold temperatures.
Avalanche Summary
Natural avalanche cycle up to size 2 were mostly loose moist point release on all aspects at treeline. They remain relatively small. One slab release size 2 on Parker Slabs from steep deposition zone showed good propagation likely on the basal crust. Visibility was limited.
Confidence
Freezing levels are uncertain on Saturday
Problems
Wind Slabs
There is variable windslabs throughout the region. Be extremely cautious in terrain traps where even a small slide could have dangerous consequences. One may expect avalanches to run to ground with increasing load and rain aspect elevation dependent.
- Use caution in lee and cross-loaded areas. Recent wind loading has created new wind slabs.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
This is a developing problem with high freezing levels up to 2400m, rain, snow, overtop a basal crust located up to 2200. Surface crust likely forming as warm precipitation followed by cold temps. Steep areas would be particularly prone.
- Use extra caution on slopes if the snow is moist or wet.
- Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Nov 9th, 2019 4:00PM
