Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 10th, 2016 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Loose Dry and Persistent Slabs.

mark herbison, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Alpine high of -14, light west winds with a mix of sun and cloud for Sunday. Monday morning temps are expected to have dropped back to -30 with an Alpine high of -25, brrrr.

Snowpack Summary

10mm surface hoar growth in the Parker Ridge area, with some feathers up to 50mm. Cold temps and a shallow snowpack are promoting faceting. Nov12 crust down 45 to 90cm and found between 2100-2600m on all aspects. Facet growth above and below crust which has been the failure plain for several avalanches in the Columbia Icefields area two days ago.

Avalanche Summary

Road patrol yesterday on the Icefields Parkway observed 3 significant slab releases up to size 2. These were likely triggered from a combination of solar input triggering a point release from steep exposed rocks and hitting the slope below triggering a slab.

Confidence

Problems

Loose Dry

Cold temps promoting facetting of upper snow pack. Expect loose dry avalanches from steep terrain.

Avoid travelling on ledges and cliffs where sluffing may have severe consequences.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

The Nov crust is down 40-90cm and is beginning to facet out, and loose strength and cohesion. There has been recent activity on this layer and requires respect.

Carefully evaluate and use caution around thin snowpack areas.The stable avalanche conditions still require careful decision making.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 11th, 2016 4:00PM