Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 8th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
TJ,
Avalanche Canada
Whumpfing and shooting cracks in the Bald Hills on Thursday had the field team carefully picking their ski lines below tree line. Be vigilant with the persistent layer before committing to terrain.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were observed on a road patrol to the Maligne Lake area on Thursday.
Snowpack Summary
Trace of new snow across the region on Thursday afternoon getting blown around by strong south west winds creating wind slabs in the alpine and tree line. Tree line and below there is a buried layer down 30-35cm that consists of surface hoar, facets, and sun crust depending on aspect and location. Snow depth ranges from 45-110cm.
Weather Summary
Friday
Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries.
Precipitation: Trace.
Alpine temperature: High -11 °C.
Ridge wind southwest: 15-35 km/h.
Freezing level at valley bottom.
Saturday
Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries.
Precipitation: Trace.
Alpine temperature: Low -13 °C, High -7 °C.
Ridge wind south: 10-25 km/h.
Freezing level at valley bottom.
Sunday
Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries.
Precipitation: Trace.
Alpine temperature: Low -13 °C, High -6 °C.
Light ridge wind.
Freezing level at valley bottom.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for signs of slab formation throughout the day.
Problems
Wind Slabs
New wind slabs are forming with the recent snow and current strong south west winds.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Marmot Basin Ski area reports surface hoar extending into some alpine features. Solar crust on south aspects is also of concern. Dig and assess this layer before committing to terrain. Lots of whumpfing and shooting cracks have been observed on this layer across Jasper but no avalanches have been observed yet.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 9th, 2022 4:00PM
