Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 30th, 2013 4:14PM

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

max darrah, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Good skiing can be found in sheltered areas above treeline where the recent storm snow is sitting on a supportive hard slab from previous wind affect.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Light scattered snowfalls over the course of the week. Temperatures moderating to the -5 to -15 range. Winds are forecasted to be light at lower elevations and gusting up to 50 km/h at ridgetops.

Snowpack Summary

Light scattered precipitation (1-3cm) throughout Jasper in the past 24 hours. No significant change to snowpack structure: windslabs in exposed lee features, faceted midpack at lower elevations, and poor travel with difficult trail-breaking below treeline. Persistent hard slab buried beneath recent storm snow is widespread above treeline.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed or reported today.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Problems

Wind Slabs

Hard windslabs can be found on a variety of aspects in the alpine and are generally very stubborn to trigger. New thin wind slabs are forming in exposed areas above treeline with recent flurries.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 31st, 2013 4:00PM