Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Jan 9 – 10, 2018Parks Canada
View on map
Archived · expired 9 years ago

Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
Open full map

Highlights

Still praying for snow here but some good skiing can be found in sheltered locations.  Isolated windslabs as well as sluffing in very steep or ice climbing terrain require careful consideration especially if you venture into larger terrain features.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Thin old windslabs remain a concern TL and above where they sit over weak faceted snow and surface hoar. While these are spotty and small at TL, these limit confidence in the alpine with the potential for larger slabs in bigger, more uniform terrain.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    The upper layers of the snowpack have become weak in sheltered areas at TL while the entire snowpack has become weak BTL where it remains shallow. Be cautious in very steep terrain and in confined features where a small sluff could build mass.

Weather Forecast

A westerly flow to the upper atmosphere brings moist air over the region giving way to a colder Arctic front late Tuesday. Tuesday: Flurries and small amounts of new snow.  Alp high -5 °C with temps dropping significantly into Wednesday. Ridge winds West: 15-25 km/h. Wednesday isolated flurries,  Alp -16 °C to -11 C. Light ridge winds

Snowpack Summary

Exposed areas TL and above have thin pockets of wind slab often found sitting on weak facets and surface hoar. The upper snowpack is facetted and sugary in sheltered areas. A mid snowpack crust is providing most of the strength in the snowpack but has lost most of its strength BTL. Faceting (or weakening) is well underway in the lower snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed or reported.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Tuesday

Regions covered