Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Dec 21 – 22, 2020
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Up to 50cm of new snow has fallen over the past several days. It will need time to stabilize. Be cautious of wind effected areas on all aspects

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–3

    New snow and moderate to strong winds forming wind slabs on leeward and cross-loaded terrain features.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    1–2

    New snow may be reactive on the Dec 14th layer and in steep terrain

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–3

    Be cautious of thick to thin snowpack areas being likely trigger locations. The new windslabs forming have the potential to step down to the weakness at the base of the snowpack.

Weather Forecast

Monday and Tuesday: Cloudy with clear periods and isolated flurries with trace precip. Alpine temps as low as -12 °C. Ridge wind west: 20 km/h gusting to 45 km/h.

Tues through Fri: A mix of sun and cloud. Precipitation: Nil. Alpine temperature: Low -14 °C, High -8 °C. Ridge wind west: 15 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 50cm of low density storm snow over last few days. SW winds continue to build wind slabs in the alpine and treeline. Decomposing surface hoar down 30cm to 50cm in sheltered locations treeline and below. The midpack is generally supportive with a weaker base consisting of facets and depth hoar. Avg depth is 65cm - 160cm depending

Avalanche Summary

Avalanche control on Parkers and Gravel Slopes today we had stubborn results, 2 out 14 avalauncher rounds produced up to size 2. Hand charging on gravel slopes no significant results. Several natural avalanches out of crossloaded wind effected alpine terrain up to size 3. Cornices continue to build at ridgetop but no observed failures.

Confidence

Regions covered