Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 11th, 2017 4:08PM

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

max darrah, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Summary

Weather Forecast

A ridge of high pressure has rebuilt, clear skies with no snow in the forecast, temps will gradually rise overnight and into Wednesday reaching a high of -12 in the alpine. Light North West winds will shift to moderate from the West on Thursday.

Snowpack Summary

10-15cm of new snow has been redistributed by moderate NW winds into slab on lee and cross loaded features. The new windslab overlies a shallow, faceted and weak snowpack. The Nov. crust can still be found about 30 cm up from ground but is faceting into large depth hoar.

Avalanche Summary

Helicopter control work produced numerous wind slab avalanches to size 2.5 in the alpine, mainly in loaded gulley features. Loose dry activity continues out of steep, rocky terrain and tends to entrain facets on the slopes below.

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

Various wind directions over the past 72hrs have created windslab on most aspects at treeline and above and rests upon a weak, faceted snowpack. Recent natural activity observed in steep cross loaded gullies.

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

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Loose Dry

Cold temps have facetted the snowpack and is causing it to lose cohesion and release loose dry avalanches in steep terrain. The 10-15cm of new snow will add to this problem. This is concerning for ice-climbers and skiers in confined/exposed terrain.

Use caution above cliffs where small avalanches may have severe consequences.Be very cautious with gully features.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 12th, 2017 4:00PM