Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Jan 3 – 4, 2020Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 7 years ago

Avalanche danger

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

The start of another storm is due to hit us this evening. Strong to extreme Southwest winds accompanied by 25-40cm will test the snowpack.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    1–2

    10-20cm new expected in the next pulse of the storm. Caution in steep gullies and terrain traps where a small sluff could have large consequences.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1–2

    An avalanche initiated in this storm snow may step down and test our deeper weak layers

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3

    This weakness could be triggered by large loads or from thin spots in the snowpack. This problem seems more pronounced at treeline where whumphing and cracks have been observed.

Weather Forecast

Tonight: Cloudy with scattered flurries. Precipitation: 5 cm. Alpine temperature: Low -17 C. southwest: 15 km/h.

Friday: 12cm, warming to -5 and accompanied by moderate SW winds gusting to 100km!

Sat & Sun 26cm expected with Moderate SW winds gusting to 70km.

Visit CAA's Mountain Weather Forecast for more specific details.

Snowpack Summary

An additional 9cm last night in the parkers area. Variable amounts of snowfall through the region, burying large surface hoar, present up to 2200m in sheltered areas. SW winds continue to created new wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above. The bottom of the snowpack consists of very pronounced facets, decomposing crusts and depth hoar.

Avalanche Summary

Several avalanches observed today on west aspects to size 2.5

Concerning results from snowpack tests in Southern forecast region around Mount Wilson. Moderate to hard sudden planar results at treeline on the weak basal depth hoar/facet layers.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Regions covered