Jasper

A significant natural avalanche cycle has just begun to taper off, avoidance of avalanche terrain that hasn't had previous activity is recommended.

A fast moving cold front sweeps across BC into Alberta Friday night (up to 15cm of snow is forecast). This will be followed by a ridge of high pressure giving clearing skies and a cooling trend for the weekend.Click here A detailed mountain weather forecast is available from Avalanche Canada.

Up to 60cm of new snow has fallen since Dec. 11th in the Parkers ridge ridge area (much less to the north), and has been redistributed by moderate to strong S-SW wind. The resulting storm and wind slabs overly several weak interfaces - facets, crusts and isolated surface hoar. Deep persistent weaknesses from early in the season remain a concern.

A natural avalanche cycle triggered by this weeks storm resulted in numerous storm and wind slab avalanches up to size 3.5. Avalanche control work in the Parkers ridge area on Friday (Dec. 14th) produced numerous slab avalanches up to size 2.5 - direct evidence that despite natural triggering having slowed, human triggering remains likely.