Wind Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Likely
- Size
- 1–2
Watchout for reverse loading from NW winds as well as recent SW and W winds.
Avalanche forecast
View on mapJasper
Jan 10 – 11, 2025Avalanche Canada
Archived · expired 2 years ago
Avalanche danger
Sun
Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
Highlights
Be cautious as you transition into wind-affected terrain. Recent winds have redistributed available snow into wind slabs.
Avalanche problems
Deep Persistent Slabs
NNEESESSWWNW- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Unlikely - Possible
- Size
- 1–3
A variety of crusts with facets above and below exist at the bottom of the snowpack. These layers are going to be with us for a long time and pose a low probability, high consequence situation if triggered.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Natural windslabs avalanches have been observed around the icefields area to size 1 on east aspects in the alpine. Also, there have been several loose dry avalanches from steep rocky terrain across the region.
Snowpack Summary
Windslabs have formed from moderate, gusting strong NW-SW winds. Currently, the snowpack is averaging 60-120cm in depth at the treeline. 10-30cm sits atop a weakening melt freeze curst and surface hoar layer from early December. The middle of the snowpack is facetted and there is a deep persistent layer at the base of the snowpack consisting of a decomposing melt freeze crust and depth hoar.
Weather Summary
Friday
Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries (trace amounts). Alpine temperature High of -6 °C. Ridge wind from the west, 15 km/h gusting to 45 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.
Saturday
A mix of sun and cloud. Alpine Low -9 °C, and High -8 °C. Mostly light ridge wind occasionally gusting to 40 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
- Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.