Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 12th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs, Deep Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.
TJ,
Avalanche Canada
The east side of Jasper is forecasted to receive limited snow during the storm. Watch for rising freezing levels and increasing winds for Friday.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
A field team went up to Maligne today. No significant avalanche activity has been observed or reported.
If you're out in the hills, don't forget to post to the MIN. Every bit of information helps!
Snowpack Summary
Increasing winds are expected to start Thursday evening. The storm will bring warm temperatures and rising freezing levels to around 2000m. Heavily wind affected and scoured alpine and open tree line terrain. Large facets and depth hoar comprise most of the snowpack. The snowpack varies from 50-85cm in depth and is unsupportive.
Weather Summary
Friday
A mix of sun and cloud.
Precipitation: Nil.
Alpine temperature: High 0 °C.
Ridge wind southwest: 25 km/h gusting to 60 km/h.
Freezing level: 1900 metres.
Saturday
A mix of sun and cloud.
Precipitation: Nil.
Alpine temperature: Low -5 °C, High -3 °C.
Ridge wind south: 15-30 km/h.
Freezing level: 1600 metres.
Detailed weather forecasts from Avalanche Canada: https://www.avalanche.ca/weather/forecast
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.
- Watch for signs of slab formation throughout the day.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
A varied slab sits over the December 17th Facet-Surface Hoar layer. This problem is most significant in open tree line features and in the alpine where you can expect a stiffer, likely more reactive slab.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
The bottom of the snow pack is inherently weak with well developed Facets and Depth Hoar. Avalanches initiating in the upper snowpack are likely to step down to this layer and gain significant mass.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
A system moving in Thursday will have strong to extreme winds building wind slabs in exposed terrain.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 13th, 2023 4:00PM
