Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 21st, 2019 4:00PM

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

jasper snow safety, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Good skiing can be found in sheltered areas treeline and below.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Expecting a steady pattern in the weather for the next two days; cloudy with some sunny periods. Little precipitation and temperatures between -10C to -3C. Light west to SW winds, with moderate gusts from the SW. Starting Wednesday 13mm of precip forecasted with moderate wind.A detailed mountain weather forecast is available from Avalanche Canada.

Snowpack Summary

New wind slab in the alpine can be expected at ridge tops and immediate lees. 10cm of new, low density snow overlies a mix of old surfaces (facets and/or surface hoar and sun crust). This, over a generally strong mid-pack sitting on the deep persistent weaknesses of facets and depth-hoar. Thin sun crust on steep due south.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported. Areas of concern are where overhead cornices threaten unevenly distributed snowpack areas. (where deep basal weakness may exist). Be a part of the Avalanche Forecasting team by reporting your field trip this weekend on Avalanche Canada's Mountain Information Network.

Confidence

Timing of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Wednesday

Problems

Wind Slabs

Moderate winds over the weekend have created isolated new windslab over a mix of surface conditions (facets, surface hoar, crust).

Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

Use caution in shallow uneven snowpack areas where deep weakness would be more reactive to a human trigger. An avalanche of this nature would be large with severe consequences.

Avoid steep convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could trigger slabs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 22nd, 2019 4:00PM