Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 22nd, 2019 4:00PM

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

jasper snow safety, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Moderate to strong recent westerly winds have redistributed the recent new snow into windslabs in the alpine and treeline ridge tops.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Expecting up to 5mm of precip by Wednesday morning with strong to moderate westerly winds at ridge tops. Starting Wednesday afternoon a mix of sun and cloud with temps ranging from -5C to -10C until the weekend approaches with freezing levels expected to rise to 2300m. A detailed mountain weather forecast is available from Avalanche Canada.

Snowpack Summary

New wind slab in the alpine can be expected at ridge tops and immediate lees. 10cm of new, low density snow overlies a mix of old surfaces (facets and/or surface hoar and sun crust). This, over a generally strong mid-pack sitting on the deep persistent weaknesses of facets and depth-hoar.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported. Areas of concern are where overhead cornices threaten unevenly distributed snowpack areas. (where deep basal weakness may exist). Be a part of the Avalanche Forecasting team by reporting your field trip this weekend on Avalanche Canada's Mountain Information Network.

Confidence

Freezing levels are uncertain on Friday

Problems

Wind Slabs

Moderate to strong winds over the weekend have created new windslabs over a mix of surface conditions (facets, surface hoar, crust).

Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

Use caution in shallow uneven snowpack areas where deep weakness would be more reactive to a human trigger. An avalanche of this nature would be large with severe consequences.

Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could trigger slabs.Avoid steep convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 23rd, 2019 4:00PM