Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 19th, 2019 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.

jasper snow safety, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Moderate to strong SW winds have transported new snow over a variety of surfaces, in some areas (near TL) surface hoar may be preserved and reactive. Use caution near bigger features or terrain traps.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Moderate to strong SW winds over the day and forecast through the night Sat. will transport any available snow into the immediate lees. Winds forecasted to shift from the west by morning to light values. Expect a mix of sun and cloud. No new snow, and alpine temps to -10 °C. A detailed mountain weather forecast is available from Avalanche Canada.

Snowpack Summary

New wind slab, especially around the Icefields can be expected at ridge tops and immediate lees. They will lie over a mix of old surfaces (facets and/or surface hoar) and may show some inconsistent reactivity, treat with caution. All this, over a generally strong mid-pack over the deep persistent weaknesses of facets and depth-hoar.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed or reported. Be a part of the Avalanche Forecasting team by reporting your field trip this weekend on Avalanche Canada's Mountain Information Network.

Confidence

Wind effect is extremely variable on Sunday

Problems

Wind Slabs

Moderate winds over the day and night Saturday will create new windslab over a mix of surface conditions (facets, surface hoar, crust). Expect these to be reactive with extra caution to areas where surface hoar may be preserved.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

Use caution in shallow snowpack areas where deep weakness would be more reactive to a human trigger. An avalanche of this nature would be large with severe consequences.

Avoid steep convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.Avoid thin, rocky or sparsely-treed slopes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 20th, 2019 4:00PM