A snowfall warning is in effect for Jasper.
Environment Canada issued the warning this afternoon (Tuesday, Jan. 12) for most of Jasper National Park, including the Jasper townsite, Pocahontas and Sunwapta Falls areas, and on Highway 93 from Jasper to the Saskatchewan River Crossing.
According to , heavy snow will begin this evening and end late Wednesday morning, with some valley bottom areas seeing showers before the precipitation changes over to snow.
Snowfall with total amounts of 15 to 20 centimetres is expected in most areas and significant snowfall accompanied by strong winds, blowing and drifting snow is forecasted along Highway 93 (the Icefields Parkway). Parks Canada estimates as much as 40 centimetres of snow is possible between now and tomorrow morning along Highway 93.
Due to the forecast, Highway 93 was closed from Athabasca Falls to the Saskatchewan River Crossing at 5:30 p.m. today by Parks Canada for avalanche control work. The day-use area at Athabasca Falls remains accessible.
Maligne Lake Road is also being closely monitored for a possible extended closure.
Environment Canada warns that rapidly accumulating snow could make travel difficult over some locations. Visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow and strong winds will cause very low visibilities in local blowing snow in wind prone areas.
Check before travelling.
From Jasper National Park:
You can help us open roads sooner after avalanche control work.
When the gates to the Icefields Parkway are closed and the road is showing as closed on 511 Alberta, this means that it is unsafe to travel on that road. Bypassing a closed gate puts you and anyone who follows you at risk, puts strain on our visitor safety staff, and delays avalanche control work and how long it takes to reopen the road.
