Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 24th, 2021 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs, Loose Dry and Deep Persistent Slabs.
Tereza Turecka,
Merry Christmas from Jasper Visitor Safety!Should you brave the cold this weekend, keep new wind slabs in your mind.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Saturday: Isolated flurries. Precipitation: Trace. Alpine temperature: High -25 °C. Wind east: 10 km/h.Sunday: A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. Precipitation: Trace. Alpine temperature: Low -32 °C, High -24 °C. Wind east: 10 km/h.
Monday: Sunny. Alpine temperature: Low -32 °C, High -21 °C. Wind west: 10 km/h.
Snowpack Summary
20-35cm oif low density storm snow over the past 48 hrs accompanied by moderate to strong SW winds adding to wind slab development in the alpine and on exposed terrain features at treeline. The mid-pack is generally supportive with an exception of a weak rain crust 30-40 cm down found up to 1950m. Cold temperatures will promote faceting next week.
Avalanche Summary
Avalanche control on Friday produced numerous thin wind slabs up to size 2 on wind loaded open tree line features. Of note are large slab results running on the December rain crust in open features below tree line. Dry loose results up to size 1.5 at sheltered BTL features. No new naturals observed.
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
Up to 35cm settled snow with moderate to strong winds building wind slabs on lee and cross loaded features. Slab development can be found low in terrain features.December rain crust is a suspect weak layer in BTL wind affected snow.
- Watch for stiffer feeling snow. Avoid areas that appear wind loaded.
- Use caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, North West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
Dry loose cycle will persist for the short term from steep terrain.
- Be careful of loose dry power sluffing in steep, confined or exposed terrain.
- Avoid travelling on ledges and cliffs where sluffing may have severe consequences.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
This problem although stubborn persists in isolated alpine terrain and can initiate with a large trigger or rapid loading. Use extra caution in thin areas were humans are most likely to trigger this high consequence layer.
- Use caution in thin snowpack areas.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 25th, 2021 4:00PM
