Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Jan 29 – 30, 2018Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 9 years ago

Avalanche danger

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

Ongoing snowfall will cause the hazard to build through out the day. It might be a good idea to finish your objective early.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    This problem is made up of 3 significant interfaces in upper snowpack. Incoming new snow may overload these layers, which have recently been reactive to skier testing and explosive control work, producing a few very significant results.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–1.5
    Watch for sluffing in steep terrain.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Incoming new snow and wind will build fresh storm slabs. If triggered these may step down and trigger the persistent weaknesses in the upper snowpack.

Weather Forecast

An Atmospheric River is hitting the South Coast and giving moderate precip as far inland as Jasper. Monday: Snow, 20 cm, High -3 C Low -9 C, light gusting strong SW wind, Freezing level 1700 meters. Tuesday: Flurries, 6 cm, Low -10 C, High -6 C, Light gusting moderate W wind.Wed: Cloudy with sunny periods, Low -16 C, High -10 C, light W wind.

Snowpack Summary

Incoming new snow is building fresh storm slabs and is falling on a persistent slab made up of 3 weak interfaces in the top 30 to 50cm of the snowpack. Depth and distribution of these weak surface hoar/facet layers varies within the terrain; although buried surface hoar has consistently been found in sheltered features at TL.

Avalanche Summary

Avalanche control on Parkers Ridge Friday produced 2 large avalanches, size 2 and 2.5 on a N aspect running as the the persistent slab. On the 18th of 18 shots placed, a large crown appeared up to 1.5m thick x 150m long x 300m wide - interesting display of the variability in sensitivity and spacial distribution of buried weaknesses.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Regions covered