Jasper

Forecasted strong winds and new snow are expected to keep the avalanche hazard elevated Saturday and Sunday.

The widespread avalanche cycle along the Icefields Parkway on Tuesday and Wednesday is a good reminder to pay attention to overhead hazard and that the deep persistent problem remains a concern.

Evidence of a widespread avalanche cycle on all aspects in the alpine was observed on Thursday. Mostly size 2-3 and up to size 4. Most of these avalanches started as wind slabs and stepped down to the deep persistent facet layer. Most notably the main Buck Lake slide path and the Churchill South slide path ran into the ski lines.  

Don't forget to post avalanche observations to the MIN.

Cold temperatures have faceted the upper snowpack. Winds from various directions have stripped and sculpted the surface snow in most exposed locations. In sheltered locations 40 cm of settled snow sits on top of a generally weak mid and lower snowpack with facets and depth hoar at the base. The height of snow is variable from 60 to 160cm.

Strong winds and new snow are forecasted for the weekend. The frigid temperatures we've been experiencing should also begin to moderate.

Detailed weather forecasts from Avalanche Canada: https://avalanche.ca/weather/forecast

• Expect slab conditions to change drastically as you move into wind exposed terrain.
• If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.