Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Dec 19 – 20, 2012Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 14 years ago

Avalanche danger

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

The best skiing can be found in  wind sheltered glades around treeline.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–3
    Moderate test results at treeline in the Portal creek area occurred on a Southeast facing 35 degree slope below a 25cm wind slab.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–3
    The November rain crusts are deteriorating into a facet layer that is not responding to field tests at this time. A consolidated midpack is providing bridging strength over this layer and the basal facets.

Weather Forecast

A  low pressure system will begin to move through on Wednesday afternoon with light snow flurries and moderate to strong Southwest ridgetop winds. Overcast skies and snow flurries will continue into Thursday, but will not amount to a lot of new snow. Temperatures will remain cold as a touch of arctic air influences the forecast area.

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack in the alpine and treeline is supportive, but new snow is needed soon to maintain this strength. Other snow observations in the alpine around the Columbia icefields  indicates hard slabs and soft slabs of various thickness, but no propagation apparent with skier traffic.

Avalanche Summary

Several slab and loose avalanches to size 2 occurred on alpine solar aspects originating out of steep rock bands and initiating cross loaded gully features in the Icefields area today.

Confidence

on Wednesday

Regions covered