Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Dec 28 – 29, 2013Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 13 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Some new snow is on the way. This will surely overload deep persistent slab and basal weakness.  Conservative route selection and avoidance of big terrain in the alpine is advised. Have a safe and happy holiday season!

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2
    New snow and winds will contribute to wind slab development.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3
    Expect this layer to get overloaded if forecast snowfall amounts materialize.

Weather Forecast

Snow and cooling temperatures are expected in the Icefields area.  Localized areas may see up to 20 cms.

Snowpack Summary

No significant precipitation over the last week (1mm in past 72 hours / 5mm past 7 days). Snowpack is generally shallow, weak, with a variably distributed deep persistent slab overlying weak basal layers of depth hoar, crusts, and/or facets. A steady southwest flow has created pockets of windslab in exposed areas at treeline and above.

Avalanche Summary

1 new natural slab avalanche observed today in the alpine on a Southwest aspect - size 2. Likely ran on basal weakness. Numerous natural slab avalanches to size 2.5 observed in the past week, primarily on cross loaded gully features in the alpine.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Regions covered