Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Jan 13 – 14, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Watch for signs of previous reverse wind loading and dry loose avalanches. Just because it is cold doesn't mean that avalanche can't happen.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Reverse loading from NE winds have likely created wind slab on non-typical SW aspects in the alpine.

  • Loose Dry

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

    The cold temperatures and the clear skies will trigger loose dry avalanches from steep rocky terrain. These avalanches by themselves will be of low risk unless you are in a terrain trap or above a cliff.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    You must keep this basal layer on your radar as triggering is possible in isolated features, such as steep rocky terrain where you find yourself standing on the surface and not wallowing in facets, that's the problem slab.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Loose avalanches may start small but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.

Weather Summary

Saturday

Sunny

Precipitation: Nil.

Alpine temperature: High -25 °C.

Light ridge wind.

Freezing level at valley bottom.

Sunday

Sunny with cloudy periods.

Precipitation: Nil.

Alpine temperature: Low -25 °C, High -23 °C.

Light ridge wind.

Freezing level at valley bottom.

The Mountain Weather Forecast is available at Avalanche Canada https://avalanche.ca/weather/forecast

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Loose dry avalanches to size one from steep rocky terrain were observed across Jasper on Thursday.

Snowpack Summary

Cold temperatures continue to weaken the snowpack. There is a possibility of reverse wind loading from previous NE winds in the alpine. Cold temperatures can cause a wind slab problem to persist longer than normal. Old persistent weak layers are present in the snowpack but continue to facet and are unreactive in snow pit tests.

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