Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 20th, 2019 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 Deep Persistent Slabs.

deryl kelly, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Much of the southern bulletin region sits over a strong mid-pack which bridges the deep persistent weakness. Continue to exercise caution near shallow, steep features or terrain traps.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Expecting a steady pattern in the weather for much of the week; cloudy with some sunny periods. Little precipitation and temperatures between -15 to -8. Light west to SW winds, with moderate gusts from the SW. 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 lies over a mix of old surfaces (facets and/or surface hoar). This, over a generally strong mid-pack sitting on the deep persistent weaknesses of facets and depth-hoar.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed or reported from the Parks field team, a group of AST students and a guide in the Parkers region. Thanks for the Input Crew!Be a part of the Avalanche Forecasting team by reporting your field trip this weekend on Avalanche Canada's Mountain Information Network.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Problems

Wind Slabs

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

If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

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

Avoid thin, rocky or sparsely-treed slopes.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 21st, 2019 4:00PM