Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Dec 21 – 22, 2018Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 8 years ago

Avalanche danger

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

Winter is Coming, and the long night approaches! Avalanche Control work will take place on the Icefields Parkway from Parkers Ridge to 12 km north of Sask River Crossing. Road is expected to reopen Friday evening.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2.5
    Moderate SW winds and new snow continues to build fresh wind/storm slabs, particularly near ridge-tops.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1.5–3.5
    This layer now sits under close to a meter of snow, any terrain that has not had previous activity on this layer should be given a wide berth.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–3.5
    Several recent large avalanches have been the result of the entire snowpack failing on or near the ground due to the weak snowpack structure surrounding this interface.

Weather Forecast

Stormy weather is expected overnight Thursday. Could be as much as 20cm of snowfall is forecast to fall thorough to Friday morning. The weekend is expected to be cold, with sunny breaks over the day! A detailed mountain weather forecast is available from Avalanche Canada.

Snowpack Summary

New snow has been blown into fresh wind/storm slabs by moderate SW winds. The Dec 11th persistent weak layer (facets, crust and isolated surface hoar) has been buried by up to 80cm of fallen snow and continues to produce whumfs under foot and sudden results in test profiles. The deep persistent weakness lingers near the ground.

Avalanche Summary

Preparing for another natural avalanche cycle overnight in the Icefields region. Recent explosive work in previously controlled terrain produced a few size 1-1.5 loose snow and slab avalanches. A few large (up to size 3) natural storm and persistent slab avalanches observed after the most recent storm.

Confidence

Regions covered