Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Dec 11 – 12, 2012Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 14 years ago

Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3
    Sunday's winds created a stiff wind slabs on lee aspects particularly at high elevation ridge tops and specific features such as alpine gullies. Watch for reverse loading patterns and increasing natural activity.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–3
    A persistent facetted weakness can be found around a mid-pack crust.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–3
    This layer continues to develop in shallow snowpack areas which would be your likely trigger spots. Has potential to step down to ground if initiated.

Weather Forecast

Continued moderate temperatures with light winds and little new snow is in the forecast.

Snowpack Summary

A wind event on Sunday brought moderate to strong NW winds. These winds moved a significant amount of snow and created a stiff surface slab condition. Expect variable wind loading patterns as directions vary with local terrain influences.

Avalanche Summary

Saturday three size 2-2.5 avalanches were noted now 48-72 hours old, 40 degree plus, NW aspect, cross loaded gullys. Explosive work on parkers slabs on Thursday with 22 avalauncher rounds produced one size 2 slab avalanche in a windloaded location on smooth steep rock slab. Expect current winds to  increase potential for natural avalanche activity.

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations

Regions covered