Jasper

Winter is here - and so is our regular forecast!
This weekend’s storm is expected to bring up to 25 cm of new snow along the Icefields Parkway.
Be alert for wind slabs on lee slopes and loose dry avalanches in steep gullies.

Leeward slopes and especially steep gullies are gaining quite a bit of snow with small wind slabs forming. See MIN from Bow Summit area incident. Early season faceting may have weakened the bond of the thin fall snowpack to steep ice gullies/faces.  Use extra caution in high, icy areas – Persistent Slabs have surprised parties in recent years, e.g. late season Mt Athabasca climbers.  Avalanche season is here: carry a transceiver, shovel and probe; and know how to use them.

Check here for how to navigate Early Season Conditions

Watch out for alpine areas as they gain enough snow for avalanches over the next couple of weeks. Alpine bowls, gullies, and around ridgelines are classic spots for early season avalanches.

Many open crevasses are hidden by thin bridges of wind-blown snow.  Roping up, diligent probing, and experience are critical for glacier travel.

Up to 25 cm of snow expected along the Icefields Parkway over the weekend. Expect strong to extreme southwesterly winds arriving with the storm Friday night. Freezing levels will be fluctuating between valley bottom and tree line.
For updated forecast go to Jasper National Park Forecast.