Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Jan 14 – 15, 2014Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 13 years ago

Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

The natural cycle is tapering off now but the snowpack is proving very touchy to human triggering.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2
    A failure in this layer is likely to trigger the weak basal facet layer below.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2
    70cm of storm snow has fallen in the past 72hrs and has been redistributed by moderate to strong SW winds onto sheltered slopes in the alpine and treeline.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3
    This layer is proving very susceptible to human triggering as evidenced by the two remotely triggered slides today. Extensive whumphing and cracking experienced particularly at treeline elevations.

Weather Forecast

Winds will continue to redistribute snow in the alpine and treeline elevations. Light snow will turn to rain at lower elevations as we go into a warming cycle.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 70cm of storm snow has been redistributed by moderate to strong SW winds creating wind slab over a strong mid-pack in lee features on top of a weak basal facets layer at the ground.

Avalanche Summary

A field team in the Maligne Lake area remotely triggered a size 2.5 from a distance of 20m. In the Icefields area a group remotely triggered a size 1.5. Both avalanches were on open slopes at treeline and ran on the basal facet layer. Whumphing and shooting cracks were observed in both locations. Some natural activity to size 2.5 observed.

Confidence

Freezing levels are uncertain on Wednesday

Regions covered