Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 4th, 2012 5:53PM

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

steve blake, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Maligne Road and Icefields Parkway closed. Avalanche control operations will take place throughout the day on January 5 along the Parkway. Highway should open Thursday PM.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Snowpack Summary

Avalanche Summary

Confidence

Wind effect is extremely variable on Wednesday

Problems

Storm Slabs

Intense snow and rain below 1500 m.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Wind Slabs

Windslabs present in all sheltered lee features, evaluate local wind effect.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

On Sunday, a large cornice failure on Kitchener ridge triggered a size 3 avalanche that ran 800m on moderate angle terrain. Cornices are large and precarious right now from winds and warm temperatures.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Valid until: Jan 5th, 2012 4:00PM