Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Brazeau, Churchill, Cirrus-Wilson, Fryatt, Icefields, Jasper, Maligne, Marmot, Miette Lake, Pyramid.
The extreme cold should start to subside on Monday, but moderate northerly winds are still in the forecast.
Be very conservative if you're heading out into the mountains.
Confidence
No Rating
Avalanche Summary
Loose dry avalanches to size one from steep rocky terrain were observed across Jasper on Thursday.
Snowpack Summary
Cold temperatures continue to weaken the snowpack. There is a possibility of reverse wind loading from previous NE winds in the alpine. Cold temperatures can cause a wind slab problem to persist longer than normal. Old persistent weak layers are present in the snowpack but continue to facet and are unreactive in snow pit tests.
Weather Summary
The Mountain Weather Forecast is available at Avalanche Canada https://avalanche.ca/weather/forecast
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
Avalanche Problems
Deep Persistent Slabs
You must keep this basal layer on your radar as triggering is possible in isolated features, such as steep rocky terrain where you find yourself standing on the surface and not wallowing in facets, that's the problem slab.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Wind Slabs
Reverse loading from NE winds have likely created wind slab on non-typical SW aspects in the alpine.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2