Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Dec 9 – 10, 2023Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

The snowpack is still adjusting to the load from this week's storm and is structurally weak. Make conservative decisions until the new snow has had time to settle and stabilize.

Good skiing is out there but the threat of early season hazards is real and just below the surface. Read a recent report from Parkers here.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2.5

    Failing on Dec 2 surface hoar, facet and melt-freeze crust layer. Slab stiffer and deeper where wind loaded.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2.5

    The snow pack is already very weak at the bottom and the new snow is adding to its stress.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Don't let the desire for deep powder pull you into high consequence terrain.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Numerous storm slab avalanches released during Tuesday's storm, failing on the Dec 2 surface hoar, facet and melt-freeze crust layer.

More information on a size 1.5 near Parkers ridge behind Hilda hostel can be found here (Here).

Snowpack Summary

30cm of new snow from this week's storm has formed a persistent slab. This overlies a weak surface hoar and facet layer or a melt-freeze crust on south and west aspects. The snowpack is 35-45cm in depth with a weak facetted base.

A rain crust exists below 1800m.

Weather Summary

The Mountain Weather Forecast is available from Avalanche Canada https://avalanche.ca/weather/forecast

Saturday

Cloudy with sunny periods. Isolated flurries with trace amounts of snow. Southwest ridgetop winds 20 km/h gusting 45 km/h. Alpine: High -12 °C.

Sunday

Cloudy with sunny periods. Isolated flurries with trace amounts of snow. Westerly ridgetop winds 15-25 km/h. Alpine: Low -12 °C, High -8 °C.

Regions covered