Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 9th, 2013 8:03AM

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

garth lemke, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Early season hazards lurk just below the snow surface.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Expect 5-10cm over next few days and temperatures -10 to -15. Warming up slightly from the frigid weekend but still feeling cold with brisk wind.

Snowpack Summary

Variable wind slab on lee features at all elevations. Recent cold conditions facetting the surface. Variable snowpack depths with pockets up to 1m deep. October raincrust sporadically distributed.

Avalanche Summary

Highway patrol on Saturday with excellent visibility observed no new avalanches.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Problems

Wind Slabs

Winds continue to develop this condition. Variable thicknesses depending on aspect and elevation.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

Observations are limited on this layer leading to uncertainty for the potential to trigger. Basal facetting process continues to weaken base.

Carefully evaluate big terrain features by digging and testing on adjacent, safe slopes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Dec 10th, 2013 4:00PM