Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 12th, 2019 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Wind Slabs, Deep Persistent Slabs and Cornices.

timothy johnson, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Minimize overhead hazard while the snowpack reacts to the rising freezing levels.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Sun and rising freezing levels to around 2000m on Sunday. Winds look to be light south-westerly. A detailed mountain weather forecast is available from Avalanche Canada.

Snowpack Summary

Exposed terrain at TL and above have been hammered with wind. In sheltered terrain the snow surface is likely to change with warm temperatures. The upper half of the snowpack is settling into a uniform slab over deep persistent weakness' at the bottom of the snowpack. Use caution in shallow areas where these deep weakness might be more reactive.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity to report from field teams. Be a part of the Avalanche Forecasting team by reporting your field trip this weekend on Avalanche Canada's Mountain Information Network.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Problems

Wind Slabs

Strong SW winds, and significant amounts of snow available for transport have created wind slab in lee features.

Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new wind.If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

Use caution in shallow snowpack areas where deep weakness might be more reactive to a human load. Build trust slowly in the new snowpack before committing to any large rideable slope.

Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could easily trigger the deep persistent slab.Avoid steep convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 4

Cornices

Rising freezing levels could result in fresh cornices to fail triggering deep instabilities.

Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could trigger the deep persistent slab.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 13th, 2019 4:00PM