Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Jan 30 – 31, 2018Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 9 years ago

Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

Rapid loading on top of persistent weak layers is expected to create dangerous avalanche conditions over the next few days.Closures of HW 93 (Icefield Parkway) will be in effect starting Jan 29 for control work. 511.Alberta.ca for updated  info.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    This problem is made up of 3 significant interfaces in the upper snowpack. Incoming new snow may overload these layers, which have recently been reactive to skier testing and explosive control work, producing a few very significant results.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–1.5
    Watch for sluffing in steep terrain.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Incoming new snow and wind will build fresh storm slabs.

Weather Forecast

Heavy snowfall Monday night, with amounts between 20-40cm possible for the Columbia Icefields area. Moderate SW winds to accompany this snowfall. Pressure rising mid-week as precipitation tapers. Temperatures will drop later in the week as an Arctic ridge establishes itself along the Eastern slopes of the Rockies.

Snowpack Summary

Incoming new snow is building fresh storm slabs and is falling on a persistent slab made up of 3 weak interfaces in the top 30 to 50cm of the snowpack. Depth and distribution of these weak surface hoar/facet layers varies within the terrain; although buried surface hoar has consistently been found in sheltered features at TL.

Avalanche Summary

Avalanche control on Parkers Ridge Friday produced 2 large avalanches, size 2 and 3 on a NE aspect running as a persistent slab. Numerous sloughs observed today from steep rocky terrain.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Regions covered