Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 26th, 2015 4:00PM

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

deryl kelly, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Hanging ice, daggers and pillars will be weak in these cold temperatures. Be cautious around these features.

Summary

Weather Forecast

The arctic air is dominating the weather until Sunday. The high pressure system will start to be displaced as the weekend progresses with a low pressure system approaching from the coast. Winds will pick up at higher elevations becoming more westerly and the temperatures will slowly start to moderate into next week. Cover up and get outside.

Snowpack Summary

Supportive and well settled snowpack above 1700m. Expect thin wind slabs in the alpine on the lee side of wind exposed terrain. The Dec 3 interface down 60cm appears to be bonding well. Snowpack continues to facet with recent cold temperatures. The base of the snowpack is weakening but thus far the mid-pack is bridging this growing weakness.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed or reported in past 48 hours

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs can be expected to be most developed in the alpine on cross loaded and NE facing terrain.

Avoid steep slopes below cornices.Caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

The facetting process is weakening the mid-pack from the top down and bottom up. This situation would make it possible to trigger the weakness at the base of the snowpack as the support underfoot shrinks. Watch for this in shallower areas.

Carefully evaluate big terrain features by digging and testing on adjacent, safe slopes.Be cautious in shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 27th, 2015 4:00PM