Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Jan 22 – 23, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Monday's predicted warmer temperature and 1900m freezing level has the potential transform our surface and midpack into a more reactive slab condition. The support at the bottom of the snowpack is inherently weak. Dig down and test the reactivity of the snowpack before you commit to a line or feature.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Variable winds means there could be wind slabs on all aspects.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3

    The recent Icefield's avalanches are on North to East aspects down 30cm on a suspected Jan 4th surface hoar or facet layer. This layer is a concern if there is a supportive slab above it.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3.5

    Triggering is possible in isolated features such as in steep rocky terrain. Watch for signs of whumphing and cracking.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
  • Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

No field patrol on Saturday or Sunday and nothing new reported. Thursday-Friday, several deep persistent slabs and persistent slab avalanches up to size 2.5 were observed in the alpine.

Snowpack Summary

There is variable wind effect from previous few days of Northerly switching Southerly winds. Down 25cm is a weak layer that is producing results in snow pit tests. The bottom is weak Facets and Depth hoar. Tree line snowpack depth is 45-75cm. The snowpack is weak and largely unsupportive.

Weather Summary

Weather at Parkers ridge on Monday will be cloudy, flurries, -3 °C, light SW winds, and 1900 metres freezing level. Tuesday will be sunny, flurries, and 1600 metres freezing level. Wednesday will be similar but a few degrees cooler.

The Mountain Weather Forecast is available at Avalanche Canada https://avalanche.ca/weather/forecast

Regions covered