Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Jan 26 – 27, 2016Parks Canada
View on map
Archived · expired 11 years ago

Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
Open full map

Highlights

As the hazard increases be prepared to give any avalanche terrain a wide berth as slides could be expected to travel fast and further then expected.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Previously buried windslabs will likely get overloaded quickly in any area where transport is happening in realtime. Users have to be very cautious with overhead hazards when traveling in or near avalanche terrain.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Loose dry avalanches should be expected in steep terrain, and may entrain significant amounts of snow in gully features.

Weather Forecast

Weather models have all come to an agreement, it's still winter. As such, predictions of upwards of 15-25cms are expected in the forecast region starting tuesday afternoon and into the weekend. This is accompanied by transport speed winds (20+ kph). Only time will tell but this could significantly overload the snowpack.

Snowpack Summary

So much will depend on the forecasted snow coming Tuesday evening. Any new snow will be sitting and/or transported onto weak sandwiched wind slab layers on the top 25 cms of the existing snowpack. These are moderately reactive on a already weaken, faceted snowpack at exposed tree line and alpine features.

Avalanche Summary

On Sunday, west of Jasper townsite and just outside the boundary of the park, a size 2 skier accidental happened in the afternoon. In an established slide path, a pair of skiers were crossing the path when they heard a whumph. One skier was able to ski to the side but a second skier was caught and rode it out for 70ms. Average crown depth 75cms.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Regions covered