Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Jan 16 – 17, 2018Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2
    The recent snow was redistributed into thin, spotty slabs in exposed areas. These slabs sit on freshly buried, weak facets and surface hoar in some areas.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–3
    Isolated slab avalanches to size 2 were reported by field teams, which were triggered by loose snow avalanches from the cliffs above the start zones.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Natural point release avalanches continued on Monday - loose dry on NE aspects and loose wet on solar aspects. This natural activity is expected to continue on Tuesday.

Snowpack Summary

10-15cm of recent snow has blown into thin slabs TL and above. Although the mid-pack Dec 15 layer of concern has not been reactive in test profiles (nor has it been tied to any recent avalanche activity in the Jasper area), we are still monitoring this interface closely. There is still a distinct crust (Nov 17) in the lower third of the snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

Another pulse of natural loose dry point releases was observed today in the Columbia Icefield area and in the Maligne Valley. These slides were mostly out of steep, solar facing terrain. Field teams did not observe any new slab avalanches avalanches.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Pacific air will continue to override cooler air in the valleys producing a temperature inversion through to Tuesday. Winds should remain light from the SW through Monday until late in the day Tuesday when they will increase and potentially bring some light flurries or rain. 10mm of precipitation with moderate SW winds expected to arrive mid-week.

Regions covered