Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Dec 18 – 19, 2013Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 13 years ago

Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Ice climbers need to consider that gully features will be loading from the turbulent winds. Skiers need to evaluate the consequence of their line should a windslab kick them of their feet.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Winds gusting from all directions are redistributing the snow into the sheltered terrain features. Any slope is steep enough to slide and has enough snow to ski, should be evaluated for windslabs.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–3
    Any slope or terrain feature that was sheltered enough to hold snow in October could have this raincrust on it. Facets developing above and below this layer may cause even a small avalanche to step down to ground.

Weather Forecast

Snowfalls in the 10cm range will continue through Wednesday night when temperatures will cool leading into a colder day with occational sunny periods on Thursday.  The weather will then return to light snow flurries through the weekend. Winds are expected to continue from the Southwest with strong gusts coming from various directions.

Snowpack Summary

Strong, turbulent winds continue to add to the variable snow distribution at treeline and above. Wind slabs are developing in lee terrain features. These windslabs sit above the October 27 raincrust with weak basal facets at the bottom of the snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

A size 2 slab was remotely triggered from below by a skier in the Bald hills on Sunday. This occurred on a Northeast aspect in the lower alpine. No other avalanches have been reported today.

Confidence

Wind effect is extremely variable

Regions covered