Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Jan 22 – 23, 2020Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 7 years ago

Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Significant recent wind effect and cornice growth has been observed in the region the past couple of days. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully as large avalanches could occur in isolated areas.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Winds have tapered off but wind slabs at ridgetop are present with the previous wind effects. 

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3

    The likely trigger spot would be from a shallow location. This is a complex problem particularly with our spatial variability across the landscape.

Weather Forecast

Wednesday will be cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries, trace amount of snowfall, High -7 °C, and 15-35 km/h Southwest winds. Thursday will be flurries, up to 9 cm. of snow, low -10 °C and high -4 °C, and 15-30 km/h winds.

For more info: Avalanche Canada Mountain Weather Forecast

Snowpack Summary

The soft surface snow is becoming more cohesive and bonding to the previous surfaces as it settles with mild temperatures. The upper snowpack remains mainly facetted. This is pronounced in shallow areas where there is less than 60cm height of snow. There is inconsistent bridging in the mid-pack over the weak basal facets and depth hoar.

Avalanche Summary

Icefields and Maligne patrols on Tuesday noted no new natural activity. Monday's explosive work South of the Icefields produced soft slabs to size 1.5 on low elevation targets. Also significant surface pinwheels occurred on solar aspects. A size 2 wet slab released below treeline onto the road at Medicine Lake late Monday afternoon.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Friday

Regions covered