Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Dec 12 – 13, 2013Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 13 years ago

Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Early season conditions exist, rocks and downed timber lurk just below the surface.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Strong winds near ridge tops have loaded depressions and shallow terrain features with slab snow. Steep and unsupported terrain with terrain traps below are high risk areas.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–3
    Soft slabs exist in wind loaded areas. The failure layer is believed to be a rain crust near the base of the snowpack. Failures on this layer quickly step to ground and have been observed up to 2,800 meters this week.

Weather Forecast

Cold and unsettled weather over the next 24 hours. Winds will be southerly and light in the valley with up to 10cm of new snow. Towards the weekend the temperatures will warm and significant snow is expected early next week.

Snowpack Summary

Variable wind slab on lee features at treeline and alpine elevations. Variable snowpack depths, particularly in the alpine, with pockets up to 1m deep. October's rain crust is sporadically distributed but forecasters are still investigating this condition. Recent North winds are loading South aspects.

Avalanche Summary

Patrol on Tuesday observed two avalanches 24 hours old. Size 2-2.5 at 2800m crossloaded SE to S aspect feature on what appears to be the Oct raincrust 40-50cm down. Suspect solar trigger.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Saturday

Regions covered