Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 24th, 2013 4:00PM

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

max darrah, Parks Canada

Jasper.

The combination of a shallow snowpack, deep persistent slab, and weak layer near the ground add up to a tricky start to the season. Be patient and conservative over the holidays and save the big lines for the new year.Merry Christmas from Jasper!

Summary

Weather Forecast

Mild temps with small amounts of snow over the next couple of days. Winds expected to be light to moderate from the Southwest.

Snowpack Summary

Variable snow distribution at treeline and above. Wind slabs continue to develop in lee terrain features. Wind slab buried by recent light snow overlies a facetted snowpack and the basal October 27 rain crust. The crust is distributed unevenly in the forecast area. Facets and depth hoar are just off the ground. This weak base will persist longterm.

Avalanche Summary

Sunday observed several size 2's, likely solar initiated, on cross-loaded gullies above the weeping wall on Mt. Cirrus. They stopped mid-path. Saturday, we observed 2 size 3 avalanches on east facing cross-loaded alpine bowl near Mt. Saskatchewan/Wilson area, 2 size 2.5 on a similar aspect in the Winston Churchill range.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Field team in the Bald Hills area observed debris from a full depth avalanche which occurred in the past 72 hours on a wind loaded open slope at treeline. This size 2 avalanche slid on a very weak layer near the ground.

Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Wind Slabs

5cm of new snow in the Bald Hills area produced some decent skiing, but is beginning to form new windslabs in exposed areas from moderate southwest winds.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets. Be aware of wide variation in snowpack depth

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 25th, 2013 4:00PM