Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Dec 24 – 25, 2012Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 14 years ago

Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Cold arctic air entrenched in area yet temperature inversion forming. -22 in valley and -8 at 1900m.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–3
    Thursday's 10 cm and Sunday's 8cm of snow with little wind has buried the preexisting wind slabs. Winds have shifted from S to N yet remain in light range. Watch for reverse loading patterns from local terrain influences.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    2–4
    The strong mid-pack above this weakness is slowly loosing its strength. Shallow snow pack areas are potential trigger spots. Consequences would be severe if initiated.

Weather Forecast

Cold Arctic air remains entrenched for the next few days. No significant precipitation and sunny periods. Winds will feel like they are coming out of the N and E. Inversion setting up as its -22 in the valley and -9 at 1900m.

Snowpack Summary

20cm of snow Thursday's to Sunday in the Icefields area has buried previous wind slabs, tree line and above. The mid-pack remains generally supportive however it appears to be loosing strength particularly in shallow locations. An amazingly good snow pack for the Rockies in December.

Avalanche Summary

Friday's avalanche control work at the Icefields released several loose size 2 avalanches in thin steep snowpack areas below treeline. Natural avalanches have been limited to similar characteristics, steep, rocky, thin areas creating loose avalanches.

Confidence

The weather pattern is stable

Regions covered