Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Jan 5 – 6, 2020Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 7 years ago

Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

ICEFIELDS HIGHWAY WILL BE CLOSED SATURDAY AND POTENTIALLY OPENING SUNDAY EVENING FROM ATHABASCA FALLS TO SASKATCHEWAN CROSSING FOR AVALANCHE CONTROL. Check 511.alberta.ca for updates.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    1–3

    This storm has come in with strong to extreme winds from the southwest. Moderate winds continue on Saturday.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    1–2

    The zone has received up to 40-50cm. Caution in steep gullies and terrain traps where a small sluff could have large consequences. Avoid terrain where this problem can initiate slab avalanches on deeper layers.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3

    This weakness could be triggered by large loads or from thin spots in the snowpack. This problem is more pronounced at treeline where whumphing and cracks have been observed.

Weather Forecast

Sunday will be flurries, 8 cm of snow, -11, and Southwest winds 20 km/h gusting to 55 km/h. Monday will be cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries, trace snow, Low -18 C, High -15 C, and West winds 15 km/h gusting to 65 km/h.

Visit CAA's Mountain Weather Forecast for more specific details.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 50cm of snow has fallen in the past 72 hours. Buried surface hoar is present up to 2200m in sheltered areas. Moderate SSW winds continue to create wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above. The bottom of the snowpack consists of well developed facets, depth hoar, and decomposing crusts. The bottom is weak.

Avalanche Summary

Highway 93 was closed today for avalanche control on Sunday. Some natural activity was noted up to size 3 out of steep alpine features, however limited observations today given the weather. Test pit showed sudden collapse results within the basal weakness. Maligne lake road patrol today observed sluffing up to size 1.5 out of steep extreme slopes.

Confidence

Wind effect is extremely variable

Regions covered