Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 13th, 2015 4:00PM

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

deryl kelly, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Excellent skiing and riding to be found in the Icefields area.

Summary

Weather Forecast

A series of unremarkable flurries moving through the forecast region overnight and through the week. Temperatures remaining steady and cool, with daytime highs near -5C. Winds light and variable through to the weekend.

Snowpack Summary

A light dusting of new snow over the recent storm snow and generally excellent quality touring and skiing. Touchy windslab can be found in lee areas at treeline. Dec 3rd interface down about 60cm and is not easily triggered. Overall settled, supportive and consistent mid-pack. Below 1900ms the HS is more typical of the Rockies; weak and shallow.

Avalanche Summary

The natural cycle of storm slab avalanches (some stepping down to ground) which occurred following the last big storm has subsided. The majority of the avalanche activity occurred in the alpine and treeline elevation bands. No avalanches have been observed over the weekend.

Confidence

Due to the quality of field observations

Problems

Wind Slabs

A touchy 15cm windslab can be found in lee areas at treeline and into the alpine. Several natural avalanches started with this slab and then stepped down to full depth releases in the alpine following last weeks storm.

Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

The Dec3 layer down 60cm has not been associated with any observed natural activity nor has it proven to be reactive to skier traffic. Forecasters will continue to monitor the break-down of this interface cautiously.

Carefully evaluate big terrain features by digging and testing on adjacent, safe slopes.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Dec 14th, 2015 4:00PM