Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Dec 19 – 20, 2016Parks Canada
View on map
Archived · expired 10 years ago

Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
Open full map

Highlights

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2
    It's windy. So, expect to find windslab developing in the immediate Lee of slopes and ridge tops.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1–3
    Although this layer has been dormant, it is still a concern and is widespread between 2100-2600m.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Snow clinging to the mountain sides continues to shed from the steep terrain and sluffing and entrainment should be expected.

Weather Forecast

Monday should see a continuation of the flurries we are expecting overnight. Accumulations are uncertain but could be as much as 10cm by morning with a further 6-10cm over the day on Monday. Sw winds continuing to blow, with gusts into the strong range. Warming up to -11 in the alpine which should feel downright balmy after the deep freeze.

Snowpack Summary

Wind press and scouring on the surface. Cold temps faceted the snowpack breaking down internal cohesion, especially below 2100ms. Where shallow, expect to be standing on the ground. Deeper HS areas have faceted above and below the Nov12 crust (45-90cm deep). Look for isolated buried SH layer down 10 to 15cms on E through N asp. in sheltered areas.

Avalanche Summary

1 x sz 2 Slab (-24hrs) on east aspect, 2100ms. Bottom 1/3 of feature called Snowboarder Slope on Parkers Ridge. Several size 1 to 1.5 loose snow avalanches observed at TL and above from steep rocky terrain.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Monday

Regions covered