Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 1st, 2017 4:00PM

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

a.l. horton, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Prepare for cold temperatures all this week.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Temperatures dropping below -30s for lows.Â A few flurries possible on Monday.Â Dry and cold through the week.

Snowpack Summary

Southerly slopes in the alpine have been stripped by previous Strong SW winds with hard slab on lee features. At treeline, there is a faceted snowpack that is still just supportive but weakening in shallow areas. Cross-loaded slopes on westerly aspects starting to release at Treeline and above.

Avalanche Summary

2 slab avalanches observed in the Nigel Basin across from Parkers Ridge in cross-loaded gullies above treeline on SW aspect.Â Size 2 and 2.5.

Confidence

The weather pattern is stable on Monday

Problems

Wind Slabs

Cold temperatures and hard slab conditions make triggering less likely. Triggering from shallow spots a possibility.

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

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

This layer will weaken with cold temperatures.

Be cautious in shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 2nd, 2017 4:00PM