Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 3rd, 2012 4:00PM

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

mike eder, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Summary

Weather Forecast

The forecast calls for some significant snowfall in the Icefields area accompanied by moderate Southwest winds. This will start sometime in the early morning and is expected to continue for the following 24 hours. Wednesday is expected to continue with overcast skies and light snowfalls with a possible clearing trend by Thursday.

Snowpack Summary

Hard test results were found in the alpine underneath a windslab and both above and below the midpack crust in the Bald hills area near Maligne lake. Treeline has experienced some moderate wind transport although previous windslabs have bonded well.

Avalanche Summary

A size 3 slab was observed in the hilda creek area. It originated from sloughing in a gully feature and expanded into a slab on a large open slope at 2400m that is the runout for the gully.ï¿½ The slab likely propogated on the November 01 raincrust.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Tuesday

Problems

Wind Slabs

A size 2 avalanche was observed on the Parker ridge slidepaths. Pay particular attention to steep unsupported wind loaded slopes in the alpine.

Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

A persistent facetted weakness can be found around a mid-pack crust.� An isolated size 3 avalanche on a steep Northerly large open slope in the Hilda Creek area likely ran on this layer.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Dec 4th, 2012 4:00PM