Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 17th, 2024 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada TJ, Avalanche Canada

Email

Northerly winds are transporting snow around in the north part of the Jasper region. This combined with the new snow is likely creating wind slabs on non-typical south facing aspects.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Loose dry avalanches up to size 2 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 any deeper weakness' in the snowpack.

Snowpack Summary

About 10cm of snow fell on Tuesday. Tree line snowpack depth is an average of 45-75cm. The snowpack is weak and largely unsupportive.

Weather Summary

Thursday

A mix of sun and cloud.

Precipitation: Nil.

Alpine temperature: High -14 °C.

Light ridge wind.

Friday

A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries.

Precipitation: Trace.

Alpine temperature: Low -14 °C, High -9 °C.

Ridge wind southwest: 10 km/h.

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

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Loose avalanches may start small but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.
  • Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

The winds have switch to the north again. Watch for isolated reverse loaded wind slabs on south facing aspects.

Aspects: South East, South, South West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Dry

An icon showing Loose Dry

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.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs

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.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Valid until: Jan 18th, 2024 4:00PM

Login