Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Jasper.
Freezing levels are expected to rise on Thursday. Be aware of overhead hazards, specifically steep, rocky solar terrain.
Weather Forecast
Cloudy with flurries and moderate SW winds on Thursday and Friday. Forecasts for freezing levels vary, but could be up to 2000m on Thursday.
Snowpack Summary
The most recent storm snow is being redistributed by moderate winds, forming wind slabs in the ALP and TL. Warm daytime temps and overnight freezing will result in moist surface snow and crusts BTL. The HS is highly variable throughout the region with a strong supportive midpack in deeper areas and a weak unsupportive midpack in shallow areas.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches observed from today. Wind slabs and loose dry avalanches that resulted from Sunday's storm are evident, but this natural activity occurred during the storm and on Monday.
Confidence
Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Recently formed wind slabs can be found in all features near ridge crests, and cross-loaded gullies. Reverse loading has occurred from uncharacteristic North winds, and wind loading is now continuing from SW moderate winds.
- Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially in steep confined alpine terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Persistent Slabs
When in the Whistlers/Portal and Maligne Regions identify and assess the bond at this mid-pack layer. This interface shows strength in field tests, but there is concern for wide, spatial variability over large and/or connected features.
- If triggered the storm/wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
- Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3