Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Jan 2 – 3, 2019Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 8 years ago

Avalanche danger

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

Snowpack depths and avalanche problems vary significantly through out the forecast region. Re-assessment is essential if you are venturing into new areas.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2.5
    The recent snow came with strong winds at all elevations, wind effect is visible in all open terrain.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–3
    The new snow has added to the load on the Dec 11th weak interface. Buried more than a meter deep in some locations, this layer is strengthening but has been reactive to large triggers such as cornices recently.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Be particularly cautious in steep areas with shallow snowpack, were the new snow is sitting on unconsolidated facets and depth hoar.

Weather Forecast

A ridge of high pressure to our south gets pushed out by a frontal system later in the week.  Wednesday: mostly cloudy with isolated flurries. Alpine temps high -8C, low -10C. Winds will be L-M SW.Snowfall Wed. night through Friday with total accumulations of up to 50cm.A detailed mountain weather forecast is available from Avalanche Canada.

Snowpack Summary

35cm of low density snow that fell in the southern half of the region on Saturday. Strong to extreme SW winds during the storm produced widespread wind effect in any open terrain. The Dec. 11th interface is still easily identified down 50-110cm and continues to produce hard but sudden test results, and was reactive to large triggers recently.

Avalanche Summary

Little natural activity noted on Monday's field trip to E facing slopes across from Mt. Coleman and visibility was good. One recent large avalanche in the Boundary area likely failed on the Dec. 11th interface, and scrubbed to ground in places. Sunday's avalanche control produced loose dry avalanches to size 1.5 on the immediate roadside targets.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Regions covered