Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 22nd, 2014 4:00PM

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

max darrah, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Although natural avalanches are unlikely right now, human triggered avalanches are still possible. Be cautious around shallow areas in big terrain, where the consequence of triggering an avalanche would be serious.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Mild temperatures continue, with overnight lows to -10C and daytime highs to -2C at treeline.Â Freezing levels expected to rise to 2100m by later in the weak. Light Westerly winds and trace to no precipitation until next wednesday.

Snowpack Summary

Shallow and weak snowpack sits on 10-20cm of basal facets. Midpack hard slabs provide bridging above treeline and into the alpine. Extensive scouring at upper elevations. Surface hoar growth observed in the last few days up to size 5mm below treeline and up to size 3mm above treeline.

Avalanche Summary

Natural activity has tapered off. No new avalanches observed or reported.

Confidence

The weather pattern is stable

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Natural activity has tapered off on this layer, but it is still possible to trigger big avalanches in shallow locations.

Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.Be aware of the potential for wide propagations.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Wind Slabs

Cross loaded gullies may be the most attractive after the intense wind scouring in the alpine, but careful evaluation is essential to check for the presence of touchy windslabs.

Watch for areas of hard wind slab in steep alpine features.Caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 23rd, 2014 4:00PM