Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Dec 19 – 20, 2015Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 11 years ago

Avalanche danger

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

Take a progressively incremental  approach to committing terrain features in this time of  low avalanche danger and be prepared to scale back if signs indicating more dangerous conditions.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2
    New (and previously) building windslab will be found in lee areas at treeline and into the alpine.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1–2
    The Dec3 layer down 60cm has not been associated with any observed natural activity nor has it proven to be reactive to skier traffic. Further cooling temperatures and the consistently supportive mid-pack helping increase confidence in this layer.

Weather Forecast

The winds are forecast to increase to strong from the SW. The overnight temps at alpine elevations will be around -10 with daytime highs of -5. Up to 10cm of new snow may fall over the weekend at higher elevations but no significant storms are forecast. Increased winds will build soft slabs in the alpine terrain.

Snowpack Summary

A dusting of new snow in past 12 hr . Above 2000m the meter deep snowpack  is very supportive .  A weak surface hoar layer, buried on Dec 3rd, lurks below 45-60cm of snow. This layer is of concern at and below treeline on northerly facing slopes. In the Alpine thin wind slabs can be found above 2,800m. Below 1,700m the snowpack is weak and shallow.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity observed and reported

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Monday

Regions covered