Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 7th, 2019 4:00PM

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

jasper snow safety, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Human triggering remains a possibility. Assess the stability before committing to avalanche terrain. Ice climbers should be wary of loose dry avalanches in gulleys.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Friday will be cloudy with sunny periods, no precipitation, alpine temperatures high -22 C, and light East ridge winds. Saturday will be sunny with cloudy periods, no precipitation, alpine temperature low -33 C and high -25 C with light East ridge winds.A detailed mountain weather forecast is available from Avalanche Canada.

Snowpack Summary

50cm from Feb 2nd was followed by strong Northerly winds. This snow overloaded the Jan 18 persistent weaknesses which is surface hoar 10mm in sheltered areas at lower elevations, crust on steep solar slopes, and facets on Northerly alpine slopes. A deep persistent basal facet and depth hoar weakness exists particularly in shallow snowpack areas.

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday, a few loose size 1.5 avalanches occurred on steep slopes below treeline. A large powder cloud was noted from steep westerly alpine terrain. Help forecast - share observations HERE, on the Mountain Information Network!

Confidence

Problems

Loose Dry

Expect sluffing out of steep rocky terrain if the sun is on it.

Be cautious with gully features.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Persistent Slabs

Up to 50cm of recent snow followed by strong winds has built thick slabs.

Carefully assess open slopes at and below treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved.The new snow will require several days to settle and stabilize.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

New snow with strong winds recently overloaded the deep persistent weakness in shallow snowpack areas.

Be cautious in shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.Use conservative route selection, choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 3.5

Valid until: Feb 8th, 2019 4:00PM