Avalanche Forecast

Avalanche Bulletin - Jasper National Park

Date issued

Oct 17, 2017 - 4:00 PM

Valid until

until further notice

Prepared by

rupert wedgwood

Fall storms continues to bring snow accumulations at higher elevations. Expect wind slab development in alpine terrain with the potential to produce consequential avalanches.

Danger Ratings
Problems
Details

Early Season Conditions

Insufficient observations exist to reliably rate the avalanche danger. Expect shallow snow cover with thinly buried rocks and trees just beneath the surface. Avalanche danger often concentrates in gullies and other deposition areas, where windslabs may bond poorly to a weak underlying base. Deeper snow usually exists at higher elevations.

More Early Season Details

Avalanche Summary

Point and slab avalanches to size two have been observed in the alpine following heavy precipitation and winds during early October.

Snowpack Summary

An early season snowpack is developing in the alpine. Snow from September and October has developed into the base of the Rockies snowpack on northern aspects in the alpine. Expect newly formed windslab and small cornice growth on lee aspects. Burred crusts with weak interfaces are to be expected. Crevasse bridges are weak and difficult to spot.

Weather Forecast

Precipitation is forecasted for the remainder of the week with higher rain/snow values expected early on as the front moves in. Some forecast are showing up to a meter of snow at the Columbia Icefields by Friday. As freezing levels drop to valley bottom this week, we can expect some snow accumulation down to the Jasper town site.

Danger Ratings Explained

1 - Low

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.

Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

2 - Moderate

Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible.

Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas.

3 - Considerable

Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making essential.

Natural avalanches possible; human-triggered avalanches likely.

Small avalanches in many areas; or large avalanches in specific areas; or very large avalanches in isolated areas.

4 - High

Very dangerous avalanche conditions. Travel in avalanche terrain not recommended.

Natural avalanches likely; human-triggered avalanches very likely.

Large avalanches in many areas; or very large avalanches in specific areas.

5 - Extreme

Avoid all avalanche terrain.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches certain.

Large to very large avalanches in many areas.

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