Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Jan 16 – 17, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 3 years ago

Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low

Highlights

Do not let the lack of avalanche activity lull you into a false sense of confidence. The recent and ongoing cold temperatures can have the affect of slowly destabilizing existing snowpack weaknesses yet the timing of this is difficult to establish.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Recent NE to NW winds have reverse loaded many alpine slopes such as SW aspects. The condition appears to be idle for now with the cold temperatures and lack of triggers but it is worth keeping on your radar.

  • Loose Dry

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

    A handful of loose dry avalanches have occurred recently with one scrubbing to ground. They are currently limited to specific terrain such as very steep alpine rocky terrain yet enough of a concern if a person is standing below it or gets swept away. This currently is our most active problem.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

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

    You must keep this basal layer on your radar as triggering is possible in isolated features, such as steep rocky terrain where you find yourself standing on the surface and not wallowing in facets, that's the problem slab.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Loose dry avalanches up to size 1.5 in very steep rocky alpine terrain were noted over the past few days. Some are scrubbing to ground. They do not appear to be initiating the existing windslabs or deep basal weaknesses.

Snowpack Summary

Treeline snowpack depth is an average of 45-75cm. Recent NW to NE winds have created windslab conditions on Southerly lee aspects. The top 20cm has two buried Surface Hoar layers predominantly located below 1700m. Near the ground is Depth Hoar and Facets.

Weather Summary

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

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
  • Loose avalanches may start small but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.

Regions covered