Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 11th, 2019 4:00PM

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

deryl kelly, Parks Canada

Jasper.

The snowpack has doubled in depth with the last storm and you can expect it will behave very differently from the previous snowpack. Step-out very cautiously and incrementally before committing to bigger terrain.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Sun, wind and warm temperatures to dominate the forecast over the weekend. A detailed mountain weather forecast is available from Avalanche Canada.

Snowpack Summary

Low density storm snow settling into a uniform, mid-pack slab over the deep persistent weakness at the bottom of the snowpack. In deeper areas this mid-pack will continue to settle and in some cases you'll find it bridges the weakness. This might not be the case in shallow, windswept areas at TL and above. Surface condition will vary with exposure.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity to report from field teams. Be a part of the Avalanche Forecasting team by reporting your field trip this weekend on Avalanche Canada's Mountain Information Network.

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

Moderate - strong SW winds, and significant amounts of snow available for transport. Avoid lingering in run-outs where active loading is happening and/or where there is no evidence of recent previous activity

If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new wind.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

The new snow seems to be bonding well to the old snow interface. In deeper snowpack areas, this deep weakness may be bridged by a sturdy new mid-pack. Build trust slowly in the new snowpack before committing to any large rideable slope.

Avoid steep convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could easily trigger the deep persistent slab.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 4

Valid until: Jan 12th, 2019 4:00PM