Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 25th, 2016 4:00PM

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

mark herbison, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Scoured alpine terrain may push eager skiers into loaded gullies and lee terrain where the possibility of triggering windslabs exists. The Jasper Visitor Safety team wishes everybody a safe and happy holiday season!

Summary

Weather Forecast

Light snowfall amounts, gradual rise in temperature and light winds from the SW forecasted for Monday, with an Alpine high of -15. Light scattered flurries and seasonal temps to wrap up 2016.Â

Snowpack Summary

Up to 15cm of settling storm snow may be found in sheltered areas. Previous strong winds have built slabs in lee features and cross loaded gullies. Weak layers include; buried surface hoar (Dec 11) in sheltered NE aspects around treeline (2100-2300m) and the Nov 12 crust approximately 30cm from the ground.

Avalanche Summary

No new reports or observations in the past 24 hours on road patrols in the Maligne Valley and Columbia Icefield Area.

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

Strong winds have created a mosaic of snow depths across the landscape. These slabs will vary greatly in their triggering sensitivity requiring each slope to be evaluated carefully.

Be aware of the potential for wide propagations due to the presence of hard windslabs.Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, and shooting cracks.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

The depth of this crust is now highly variable, and may be as deep as 1m in lee areas that have received significant loading due to strong SW winds. Careful evaluation of this interface is essential.

Carefully evaluate and use caution around thin snowpack areas.If triggered the storm/wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Dec 26th, 2016 4:00PM