Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 14th, 2019 4:00PM

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

Rupert wedgwood, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Solar radiation and positive temperatures at treeline are producing point release avalanche during the heat of the day.

Summary

Weather Forecast

A ridge of high pressure is bringing warm daytime air temperatures to treeline and above. Cold air is still pooling in the valley bottom overnight where the freezing remain well below freezing. This inversion and sunny skies will remain with us tomorrow.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 upper snowpack is continuing to settle with warm temps. A generally strong mid snowpack overlies deep persistent weakness' at the bottom of the snowpack. Use caution in shallow areas where these deep weakness might be more reactive.

Avalanche Summary

A team at the Icefields reported numerous small point release avalanches; size 1-1.5 from solar facing slopes near treeline. Inverted temperatures and strong solar radiation will continue to trigger these tomorrowBe 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

Loose Wet

This problem will only exist in solar facing terrain from early afternoon until sundown. Moist releases and sluffing from cliffs when combined, through entrainment, may have sufficient mass to trigger the deep persistent slab.

Avoid ice climbs exposed to steep rocky terrain on solar aspects during the middle of the day.Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

Aspects: South, South West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

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.

Avoid steep convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.Avoid thin, rocky or sparsely-treed slopes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 4

Wind Slabs

The wind slabs appear to bonding well to the lower snowpack. Last weeks snow continues to settle and there is only minimal snow transport taking place near ridge line in the alpine.

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

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 15th, 2019 4:00PM