Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Jan 4 – 5, 2019Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 8 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
5 · Extreme
Treeline
5 · Extreme
Below
5 · Extreme
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Highlights

Exceptional amounts of snow is falling over the Bulletin Region. Avoid all Avalanche Terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Up to 45cm of fresh snow, warm temperatures and moderate to strong SW winds are creating widespread touchy windslabs and storm slabs.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    1.5–3.5
    The new snow has added to the load on the Dec 11th weak interface. Buried more than a meter deep in some locations, this layer is strengthening but has been reactive in shallow snowpack areas recently.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1.5–4
    The base of the snowpack is weak and facetted. In shallow snowpack areas the new snow will likely overload this weakness.

Weather Forecast

An ongoing storm is bringing heavy snowfall and strong winds to our area. Up to 45cm of snow has already fallen and 25cm more snow with moderate to strong winds are still forecast through Friday. Temperatures will stay warm around -5C to -8C.  A detailed mountain weather forecast is available from Avalanche Canada.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 45cm of snow has fallen along the 93N. Moderate-strong SW winds have built fresh windslabs in open terrain and storm slabs in sheltered areas. Expect natural avalanche activity with the rapid loading. The Dec. 11th layer (surface hoar and facets) persists down 60-150cm, and continues to produce avalanches in shallow snowpack areas.

Avalanche Summary

Upper avalanche start zones were obscured with falling snow but we expect widespread natural avalanche activity to be occurring. Yesterday skier triggered and several natural slabs were noted on slopes with shallower snowpack around the Columbia Icefields.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Friday

Regions covered