Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Jan 24 – 25, 2016Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 11 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

A widespread weak faceted base is the root of all concern.  Be very cautious in all steep terrain for slab and loose snow avalanches. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–3
    A significant SW wind event produced touchy wind slabs in lee and cross-loaded terrain at tree line and above.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Loose dry avalanches should be expected in steep terrain, and may entrain significant amounts of snow in gully features.

Weather Forecast

A few more cm of snow possible through Sunday. Seasonable alpine temperatures with SW winds picking up on Monday.

Snowpack Summary

SW (M-S) winds have built slab on top of a weak faceted snowpack on exposed tree line and alpine features. Mid-pack starting to loose strength.  Some pin-wheeling and snowballing on steep terrain below tree line on all aspects on top of a very weak faceted base.

Avalanche Summary

A couple of sz 2.5 slab avalanches in the alpine (a cornice and natural) on south and NE aspects south of the Icefields along the Parkway. Loose snow avalanches should be expected in steep terrain at tree line and below. Touchy slab conditions can be expected below ridge lines in open tree line areas and in the alpine.

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations on Sunday

Regions covered