Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Jan 10 – 11, 2017Parks Canada
View on map
Archived · expired 10 years ago

Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
Open full map

Highlights

10-15cm of new snow with North light to moderate winds are adding to the existing problems particularly the loose dry. Highway 93 will be closed from 11-5 on Wednesday for Avalanche control. Check Alberta 511.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–3
    Cold temperatures and hard slab conditions make triggering less likely. Triggering from shallow spots or in loaded gullies remains a possibility. Winds shifting from the North will develop new slabs on Southerly slopes.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Faceting of the surface snow is causing it to lose cohesion and release loose dry avalanches in steep terrain. 10-15cm of new snow will add to this problem. This is concerning for ice-climbers in confined terrain.

Weather Forecast

Snowfall will taper off Monday night. Tuesday to Thursday will be Light North to Northwest winds gusting Moderate at ridgetop, clear skies, no new snow, and cold temperatures ranging from -18 to -30.

Snowpack Summary

10-15cm of very light snow on Monday overlies a shallow, faceted and weak snowpack. The Nov. crust can still be found about 30 cm up from ground but is faceting into large depth hoar. The upper half of the snowpack has layers of wind slabs.

Avalanche Summary

No patrol today. Sunday's Icefields patrol noted several 48 hour old size 2.5 slab in cross loaded West aspect gullies and size 1.5 loose dry avalanches on all aspects and elevations. Cold temps have made free hanging ice brittle and they are breaking off.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Monday

Regions covered