Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Dec 18 – 19, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Watchout if you find locally higher precipitation amounts. This could mean that the avalanche danger is higher than what is on the forecast.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2.5

    New snow and increasing winds will create new wind slabs. Avoid wind loaded large unsupported terrain.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2.5

    A variety of crusts with facets above and below exist at the bottom of the snowpack. These layers are going to be with us for along time and pose a low probability, high consequence situation if triggered.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed in the Jasper Region but a close call occurred in the Bow Summit zone in a similar snowpack. See the MIN for more information.

Snowpack Summary

The 7mm Surface Hoar that formed last week is likely flattened by winds but assume it could be preserved under a few centimeters of new snow in sheltered locations. An older buried surface hoar layer is found in sheltered alpine areas 40cm down. Lower down in the snowpack there are crusts with large faceted crystals above and below.

Weather Summary

Wednesday

Flurries.

Accumulation: 9 cm.

Alpine temperature: High -4 °C.

Ridge wind west: 20 km/h gusting to 70 km/h.

Freezing level: 1500 metres.

Thursday

Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries.

Precipitation: Trace.

Alpine temperature: Low -10 °C, High -7 °C.

Ridge wind southwest: 15-30 km/h.

Freezing level at valley bottom.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present in the snowpack.
  • Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

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