Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Dec 27 – 28, 2013Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 13 years ago

Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

A shallow snowpack, deep persistent slab and basal weakness have created a tricky start to the season - conservative route selection and avoidance of big terrain in the alpine is advised. Have a safe and happy holiday season!

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Steady Southwest winds have created pockets of windslab on lee features above treeline. Recent natural activity has been observed in crossloaded gully features in the alpine.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3
    Currently there is a variably distributed persistent slab in a generally shallow snowpack. Although stubborn, if this slab is triggered it will result in a full depth avalanche running on weak layers at or near the bottom of the snowpack.

Weather Forecast

Mild temperatures through to Friday evening, at which point they are expected to drop back to more seasonal norms (-10C at 2100m).  Southwest flow will continue to dominate with generally light to moderate values, gusting to high in the alpine.  Minimal precipitation is expected - models predict 0-5cm over the next 24 hours.  Freezing level 1400m. 

Snowpack Summary

No significant precipitation over the last week (1mm in past 72 hours / 5mm past 7 days). Snowpack is generally shallow, weak, with a variably distributed deep persistent slab overlying weak basal layers of depth hoar, crusts, and/or facets. A steady southwest flow has created pockets of windslab in exposed areas at treeline and above.

Avalanche Summary

1 new natural slab avalanche observed today in the alpine on a Southwest aspect - size 2. Likely ran on basal weakness. Numerous natural slab avalanches to size 2.5 observed in the past week, primarily on cross loaded gully features in the alpine.

Confidence

Regions covered