Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Feb 9 – 10, 2022
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Watch for rising freezing levels through the day on Wednesday and into Thursday to increase avalanche danger.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Watch for wind slabs in cross-loaded features and further down the slopes than usual due to wind intensity.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1.5–3.5

    Persistent slabs sit over different weak layers depending on elevation & aspect. It is critical to investigate these layers before committing as there is a lot of variability dependent on aspect and elevation.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    With rising freezing levels watch for wet loose avalanche on solar aspects below tree line or on steep rocky faces

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday one large wind slab avalanche was noted on Fluted Peak on a south facing feature. Monday's Maligne and Icefield patrols noted several small loose wet low elevation avalanches triggered by the late afternoon warm sun on Sunday.

Confidence

Freezing levels are uncertain on Wednesday

Weather Forecast

Wednesday

Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries.

Precipitation: Trace.

Alpine temperature: High -3 C.

Ridge wind west: 20 km/h.

Freezing level: 1800 metres.

Thursday

Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries.

Accumulation: 5 cm.

Alpine temperature: Low -12 C, High -4 C.

Ridge wind west: 25 km/h gusting to 75 km/h.

Freezing level: 1600 metres.

Snowpack Summary

Strong SW winds have stripped exposed alpine to rock. We expect wind slabs in crossloaded features and into tree line. A thin crust on solar aspects up to tree line below the 10cm of recent snow is likely. Several December facets layers can be found in the midpack. Facets and depth hoar are formed near the ground.

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