Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 8th, 2013 4:00PM

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

garth lemke, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Monitor your partner for frostbite. Ski conditions are still meager. Early hazards exist everywhere just under the snow.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Expect light flurries with 2-10cm of snow the next few days. Temperatures will warm slightly but remain in the frigid zone.

Snowpack Summary

Variable windslabs on lee features at all elevations. Cold temperatures creating surface facets as a potential future sliding surface. Snow depth is quite variable across the terrain. Deeper areas exist where windloading has occurred. Winds recently gusting to 70km/hr NW further buffing the snow surface. Basal rain crust exists sporadically.

Avalanche Summary

Icefield's highway patrol with excellent visibility revealed no new avalanches.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Problems

Wind Slabs

Variable windslabs continue to form with moderate to strong winds. Be observant where this slab is building.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

Observations are limited for this layer. If triggered, it has the potential to scrub to ground increasing the consequence.

Cold temperatures have stabilized the snowpack, but watch out for frostbite.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Dec 9th, 2013 4:00PM