Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Jan 2 – 3, 2020Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 7 years ago

Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate

Highlights

Strong westerly winds will continue to strip and load lee slopes through the region over the next few days.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Most fetch zones are stripped and snow has been redistributed to lee slopes and cross-loaded gulleys. If triggered, the avalanche could awaken weaknesses at the base of the pack creating large avalanches.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3

    This weakness could be triggered by large loads or from thin spots in the snowpack. This problem seems more pronounced at treeline where whumphing and cracks have been observed.

Snowpack Summary

Variable amounts of snowfall through the region, burying large surface hoar, present up to 2200m in sheltered areas. SW winds continue to created new wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above. The bottom of the snowpack consists of very pronounced facets, decomposing crusts and depth hoar.

Avalanche Summary

Concerning results from snowpack tests in Southern forecast region around Mount Wilson. Moderate to hard sudden planar results at treeline on the weak basal depth hoar/facet layers.

Confidence

Weather Forecast

The tail end of a Pacific low will continue to bring light precipitation over the next few days. A weak ridge of high pressure is expected on Thursday followed by another low on Friday. 

CAA's Mountain Weather Forecast for more specific details.

Regions covered