Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Dec 17 – 18, 2012Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 14 years ago

Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–3
    Pockets of wind slabs that vary in hardness are present on all open lee slopes. No new avalanches have been observed  in the last week, and field tests show that these slabs have bonded well in most locations.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–3
    The November raincrusts are deteriorating into a facet layer that is not responding to field tests at this time. 

Weather Forecast

A frontal system is expected to come through on Monday with a slight rise in temperatures and only limited snow flurries. Ridgetop winds will increase to moderate/strong starting from the South and shifting to the West by late afternoon. Tuesday will have sunny periods with cooler temperatures.

Snowpack Summary

There is great variation in depth and location of the wind slabs. These slabs appear to have bonded well to the old snow surface, with no new avalanches observed in the last week. Cornices are well developed. The raincrust laminate down in the lower 1/3 of snowpack is deteriorating into a facetted layer and did not respond to field tests. 

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been observed since Monday Dec 10.  Wind slabs appear to have bonded well to the old snow surface.

Confidence

Regions covered