Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 8th, 2018 5:31PM

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

Tim Haggarty, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Still praying for snow here but some good skiing can be found in sheltered locations. Isolated windslabs as well as sluffing in very steep or ice climbing terrain require careful consideration especially if you venture into larger terrain features.

Summary

Weather Forecast

A westerly flow to the upper atmosphere brings moist air over the region giving way to a colder Arctic front late Tuesday. Tuesday: Flurries and small amounts of new snow.Â Alp high -5 Â°C with temps dropping significantly into Wednesday. Ridge winds West: 15-25 km/h. Wednesday isolated flurries,Â Alp -16 Â°C to -11 C. Light ridge winds

Snowpack Summary

Exposed areas TL and above have thin pockets of wind slab often found sitting on weak facets and surface hoar. The upper snowpack is facetted and sugary in sheltered areas. A mid snowpack crust is providing most of the strength in the snowpack but has lost most of its strength BTL. Faceting (or weakening) is well underway in the lower snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed or reported.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Tuesday

Problems

Wind Slabs

Thin old windslabs remain a concern TL and above where they sit over weak faceted snow and surface hoar. While these are spotty and small at TL, these limit confidence in the alpine with the potential for larger slabs in bigger, more uniform terrain.

Approach steep lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Dry

The upper layers of the snowpack have become weak in sheltered areas at TL while the entire snowpack has become weak BTL where it remains shallow. Be cautious in very steep terrain and in confined features where a small sluff could build mass.

Use caution above ledges and cliffs where small avalanches may have severe consequences.The shallow, weakening snowpack makes for difficult trail breaking at low elevations.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 9th, 2018 4:00PM