Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 17th, 2014 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is considerable. Known problems include Deep Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.

Parks Canada a.l. horton, Parks Canada

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Jasper.

It will be difficult to find good quality skiing this weekend but travel conditions should be good.  We expect ice climbing conditions to be excellent!

Summary

Weather Forecast

Temperatures will drop tonight and rebound to +5 to +7 at Treeline on Saturday.  Winds will continue to be light from the SW and sunny skies are forecast.

Snowpack Summary

Warm temperatures are promoting settlement in the snowpack. A supportive mid-pack can be found in sheltered locations.  Last weekend's storm has been stripped by extreme Northerly winds.  Wind slabs are present on lee slopes and in cross-loaded gullies. Weak basal facets are present on slopes where they haven't either slid or been blown away. 

Avalanche Summary

No new observations today.  The crew at Marmot reported minimal results on their control work, the exception being a size 2.5 on a SE facing Alpine slope on the basal facets.  Yesterday's control work on the Icefields Parkway yielded large avalanches to size 3 on all alpine aspects releasing on either the storm snow interface or on basal facets.

Confidence

Freezing levels are uncertain on Saturday

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs
The basal facet layer is of great concern as it is  the most significant weakness in this year's snowpack.  Use extra caution in areas that have not previously avalanched, especially on open treeline slopes.
Be aware of the potential for wide propagations.Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Windslabs have been triggered on this interface buried in the snowpack as well as deeper on the basal facet layer.
Be aware of the potential for wide propagations due to the presence of hard windslabs.Avoid cross loaded features.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 18th, 2014 4:00PM

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