Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 21st, 2020 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
Jasper Snow Safety,
Parks Canada
Significant recent wind effect and cornice growth has been observed in the region the past couple of days. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully as large avalanches could occur in isolated areas.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Wednesday will be cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries, trace amount of snowfall, High -7 °C, and 15-35 km/h Southwest winds. Thursday will be flurries, up to 9 cm. of snow, low -10 °C and high -4 °C, and 15-30 km/h winds.
For more info: Avalanche Canada Mountain Weather Forecast
Snowpack Summary
The soft surface snow is becoming more cohesive and bonding to the previous surfaces as it settles with mild temperatures. The upper snowpack remains mainly facetted. This is pronounced in shallow areas where there is less than 60cm height of snow. There is inconsistent bridging in the mid-pack over the weak basal facets and depth hoar.
Avalanche Summary
Icefields and Maligne patrols on Tuesday noted no new natural activity. Monday's explosive work South of the Icefields produced soft slabs to size 1.5 on low elevation targets. Also significant surface pinwheels occurred on solar aspects. A size 2 wet slab released below treeline onto the road at Medicine Lake late Monday afternoon.
Confidence
Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Friday
Problems
Wind Slabs
Winds have tapered off but wind slabs at ridgetop are present with the previous wind effects.
- Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.
- If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
The likely trigger spot would be from a shallow location. This is a complex problem particularly with our spatial variability across the landscape.
- Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 22nd, 2020 4:00PM
