Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Dec 15 – 16, 2012Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 14 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Moderate danger rating specifies human triggered avalanches remain possible. Now is not the time to jump into big lines.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–3
    Pockets of wind slabs that vary in hardness are present on all open lee slopes. No new avalanches have been observed and field tests show that these slabs have bonded well in most locations.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–3
    Large triggers such as cornice failures have triggered this weakness on SE to NE aspects in the alpine.

Weather Forecast

Next few days will be mainly dry, seasonal temperatures, light winds, and very light flurries.

Snowpack Summary

There is great variation in depth and location of the wind slabs. They continue to build and harden from gusting moderate to strong SW winds. These slabs appear to have bonded well.  In windswept areas in the alpine and at tree line, the November rain crust has been exposed along with dirt and rocks.  Cornices are well developed.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been observed or reported since the end the cycle that ended on Monday.  In that cycle, slab avalanches to size 3 were observed on NE aspects at alpine and tree line elevations, several stepped down to the basal facet layer.  Large cornice failure triggered large avalanches on the basal facet layer as well.

Confidence

The weather pattern is stable

Regions covered