Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 4th, 2014 4:00PM

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

steve blagbrough, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Extremely cold temperatures will make travel slow and the ice hard and brittle. Bundle up and watch your partners for frostbite.

Summary

Weather Forecast

A reprieve from these arctic temperatures is forecast for next week when we might also get a little snow :)

Snowpack Summary

Surface facetting due to extremely cold temps. Hard mid-pack is providing bridging strength over the weak basal facet layer at tree line and above. Recent settlement below tree line has greatly improved travel. Reasonable ski conditions can be found in sheltered features at tree line and below.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed today.

Confidence

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

This layer is well bridged by a strong mid and upper snowpack but could still be triggered from shallow or rocky terrain or by a large load.

Carefully evaluate and use caution around thin snowpack areas.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Wind Slabs

Strong northerly winds from a few days ago redistributed snow into isolated pockets of wind slab at alpine elevations.

Use caution in lee areas in the alpine. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 5th, 2014 4:00PM