Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 25th, 2017 4:00PM

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

jonas hoke, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Happy Holidays! If you're heading out don't forget your thermos.

Summary

Weather Forecast

If you got socks for Christmas... wear them all. Tuesday will see some cloud building through the day as the leading edge of a cold air mass slides down across our area. Alpine lows will be -21, and highs will be -18.We may see some traces of light precip Wednesday, but little accumulation. Temps remain cold until at least the end of the week.

Snowpack Summary

Isolated pockets of wind-slab in exposed areas at upper elevations, these may overlie an old snow interface of facets, crust, and surface hoar. Several other noticeable crusts lie dormant deeper in the snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

Explosive control at the local hill yesterday produced a few small avalanches from isolated pockets of wind slab. No new avalanches have been reported or observed along the parkway.

Confidence

The weather pattern is stable

Problems

Wind Slabs

Small amounts of recent snow has been blown into thin windslabs over the Dec 18 drought layer. These slabs will be found mainly over crusts or wind effect however surface hoar and facets were buried as well and would warrant more caution.

Use caution above ledges and cliffs where small avalanches may have severe consequences.Watch for surface cracking and stiffer surface layers of snow. Avoid wind loaded terrain.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1

Valid until: Dec 26th, 2017 4:00PM