Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Dec 27 – 28, 2018Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 8 years ago

Avalanche danger

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

Avoid placing yourself under any terrain with cornices overhead as several failures have occurred producing large avalanches. Good skiing can be found at sheltered treeline locations.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2.5
    Winds have abated on all but the highest ridge tops where slabs will be at their most developed.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    The new snow from last week is settling and the interface with the old snow surface, buried up to a meter deep, is strengthening. Large triggers such as cornices have produced several releases since the last storm.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1.5–3
    The base of the snowpack is weak and facetted. Likely trigger locations are around rocks, where cold air can penetrate to the base of the snowpack, and shallow snowpack locations.

Weather Forecast

Thursday and Friday will be light snow, sun and cloud, alpine temperature -10, overnight lows -17, and light SW winds.  A detailed mountain weather forecast is available from Avalanche Canada. 

Snowpack Summary

Last weeks storm snow is providing support underfoot. Snow conditions at treeline is variable from powder in sheltered areas, to slabs and sastrugi in exposed locations and near ridge crests. The Dec. 11th persistent weak layer is buried 50-100cm. The deep persistent weakness lingers near the ground in the depth hoar and facets.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were noted on Wednesday's patrol. Last weeks storm initiated several deep releases from the alpine up to size 3. They appear to have been triggered by cornice failures from South Easterly facing slopes. It is likely these occurred at the interface of last weeks snow and then stepped down to the basal weakness.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Saturday

Regions covered