Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Jan 11 – 12, 2017Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 10 years ago

Avalanche danger

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

Highway 93N will be closed from 10am-5pm MST on Wednesday for Avalanche Control from Saskatchewan River Crossing to Parker Ridge. No Skiing or Climbing in the area.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    Various wind directions over the past 72hrs have created windslab on most aspects Treeline and above and rests upon a weak, faceted snowpack. Recent natural activity observed in steep cross loaded gullies.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Cold temps have facetted the snowpack and is causing it to lose cohesion and release loose dry avalanches in steep terrain.  The 10-15cm of new snow will add to this problem. This is concerning for ice-climbers and skiers in confined/exposed terrain.

Weather Forecast

A ridge of high pressure has rebuilt, clear skies with no snow in the forecast, temps will gradually rise overnight and into Wednesday reaching a high of -12 in the alpine. Light North West winds will shift to moderate from the West on Thursday.

Snowpack Summary

10-15cm of new snow has been redistributed by moderate NW winds into slab on lee and cross loaded features. The new windslab overlies a shallow, faceted and weak snowpack. The Nov. crust can still be found about 30 cm up from ground but is faceting into large depth hoar. The upper half of the snowpack has layers of wind slab and facets.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous size 1-2.5 loose dry avalanches on all aspects and elevations, but mainly out of steep, rocky terrain features. One sz 2.5 slab avalanche pulled out on Mt. Cirrus, several gullies North of Polar Circus, running mid path above the cliff face.Ice Climbers be aware, the cold temps have made free hanging ice brittle and they are breaking off.

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations

Regions covered