Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 31st, 2019 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is considerable. Known problems include Storm Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.

jasper snow safety, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Highway 93N, Icefields Parkway will be closed at 10:00, Friday, February 1st from Athabasca Falls to Sask River Crossing. Expected opening: Saturday at 18:00. (low confidence)Check Alberta511 for updated

Summary

Weather Forecast

Periods of snow, at times heavy. Accumulation in Icefields: 14cm overnight Thursday; 20cm on Friday; 8 -10cm Saturday. Temps drop over the day Saturday with an overnight low of -28. Valley bottom freezing levels. Mostly light SW winds, gusting at ridge tops. A detailed mountain weather forecast is available from Avalanche Canada.

Snowpack Summary

Forecasted storm snow over this weekend (potentially up to 50cm), will change everything in the snowpack. The existing upper snow pack continues to settle over surface hoar, down 5-10cm deep. Solar aspects have buried surface sun/temperature crusts at TL and below. Below that, a strong mid-pack sits over a deep persistent weakness.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been observed or reported. Help forecast - share observations HERE, on the Mountain Information Network!

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Problems

Storm Slabs

Avoid avalanche terrain until the storm subsides and the snowpack can settle.

Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow and wind.Avoid exposure to avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

New snow may overload the deep persistent weakness. Avoid avalanche terrain.

Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow and wind.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 3.5

Valid until: Feb 1st, 2019 4:00PM