Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 24th, 2019 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.

deryl kelly, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Rising freezing levels on the weekend will increase the hazard. This may not be a widespread issue and you'll need to be keep aware to changing conditions locally, and over your head!

Summary

Weather Forecast

Friday: Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries up to a max of 4cm. High -6 C. Light west winds. A significant warm-up is forecasted for Saturday with uncertainty as to freezing levels. Continue to monitor forecasted temperatures and freezing levels. A detailed mountain weather forecast is available from Avalanche Canada.

Snowpack Summary

New wind slabs, variable levels of misery, er...wind effect and sastrugi in the alpine and exposed TL areas. In sheltered areas, 10cm of low density snow overlies a mix of old surfaces (facets and/or surface hoar and sun crust). This, over a strong mid-pack sitting on the deep persistent weaknesses of facets and depth-hoar.

Avalanche Summary

One wind slab size 1.5 triggered by a cornice in the Parkers Ridge Area from steep rocky terrain. Main area of concern is where overhead cornices threaten unevenly distributed snowpack areas, increasing the probability of triggering a deep weakness. Report, and read about riding conditions on Avalanche Canada's Mountain Information Network.

Confidence

Freezing levels are uncertain on Saturday

Problems

Wind Slabs

Moderate to strong winds have created new windslabs over a mix of surface conditions (facets, surface hoar, crust).

Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

Use caution in shallow uneven snowpack areas where deep weakness would be more reactive to a human trigger. An avalanche of this nature would be large with severe consequences.

Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could trigger slabs.Avoid steep convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 25th, 2019 4:00PM