Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 5th, 2014 4:00PM

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

a.l. horton, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Fresh untracked snow will be tempting this weekend. Use caution around steeper slopes at tree-line and in the alpine.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Cloudy conditions with a few flurries but limited accumulation.Â Temperatures will continue to moderate with freezing levels approaching 2100m into the weekend.Â Ridgeline winds will increase to moderateÂ from the SW.

Snowpack Summary

Settled storm slab in open treeline areas and windslab on exposed alpine slopes. These slabs are sitting on a couple of crust in the lower third of the snowpack. Failures are occurring in facets above these crusts with moderate test results at treeline and hard results in the alpine.Â Whumphing is common at treeline.

Avalanche Summary

No patrol on Maligne or Parkway today.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations on Saturday

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Storm snow has evolved into a persistent slab mainly around treeline and sheltered alpine slopes. Widespread whumphing in open treeline areas.

Assess start zones carefully and use safe travel techniques.Carefully evaluate and use caution around thin snowpack areas.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

These slabs are found on exposed slopes and produced moderate to hard test results with failures in the facet layer near the bottom of the pack.

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

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 6th, 2014 4:00PM