Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 17th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
Parks Canada,
Avalanche Canada
Watchout if you find locally higher precipitation amounts. This could mean that the avalanche danger is higher than what is on the forecast.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were observed in the Jasper Region but a close call occurred in the Bow Summit zone in a similar snowpack. See the MIN for more information.
Snowpack Summary
The 7mm Surface Hoar that formed last week is likely flattened by winds but assume it could be preserved under a few centimeters of new snow in sheltered locations. An older buried surface hoar layer is found in sheltered alpine areas 40cm down. Lower down in the snowpack there are crusts with large faceted crystals above and below.
Weather Summary
Wednesday
Flurries.
Accumulation: 9 cm.
Alpine temperature: High -4 °C.
Ridge wind west: 20 km/h gusting to 70 km/h.
Freezing level: 1500 metres.
Thursday
Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries.
Precipitation: Trace.
Alpine temperature: Low -10 °C, High -7 °C.
Ridge wind southwest: 15-30 km/h.
Freezing level at valley bottom.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present in the snowpack.
- Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
Problems
Wind Slabs
New snow and increasing winds will create new wind slabs. Avoid wind loaded large unsupported terrain.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
A variety of crusts with facets above and below exist at the bottom of the snowpack. These layers are going to be with us for along time and pose a low probability, high consequence situation if triggered.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 18th, 2024 4:00PM
