Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 17th, 2016 4:00PM

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

Max Darrah, Parks Canada

Jasper.

10cm of snow over the last 48 hours has helped freshen things up a bit.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Light scattered flurries over the next couple of days, accompanied by light Southwest winds. Cool temps with freezing levels to remain below 1500m.

Snowpack Summary

Pockets of wind slab can be found in exposed terrain tree line and above. These pockets are sitting on a weak layer of facets. 10cm of new snow in the past 48 hours has helped to freshen things up a bit.

Avalanche Summary

Reports of small size1 loose dry avalanches on steep solar terrain along the Icefields Parkway today.

Confidence

Problems

Loose Dry

Small loose dry avalanches should be expected in steep terrain, and may entrain significant amounts of snow in gully features.

Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

Previous SW winds have created pockets wind slab at treeline and above. These slabs are sitting above a weak facet layer and may be triggered in steep terrain.

Watch for areas of hard wind slab in steep alpine features.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 18th, 2016 4:00PM