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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 30th, 2020–Jan 31st, 2020

Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Below Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Alpine
Widespread avalanches certain.
Treeline
Widespread avalanches certain.
Below Treeline
Widespread avalanches certain.
Alpine
Widespread avalanches certain.
Treeline
Widespread avalanches certain.
Below Treeline
Widespread avalanches certain.

Regions

Jasper.

Stay out of avalanche terrain!

Maligne lake road will be closed January 30th at 1800, and Ice fields parkway (93N) will be closed January31st @ noon until February 3rd for avalanche control.

511.alberta.ca/ for updates

Weather Forecast

Friday: Flurries up to 38cm accompanied by Strong to Extreme SW winds Freezing levels to rise to 1700M

Saturday: Heavy snow. 38cm with Strong to Extreme SW winds Freezing levels at 1700M

Sunday: Clearing trend with temperatures dropping to the -20 range

Find the Alberta Rockies weather synopsis here: Avalanche Canada Mountain Weather Forecast

Snowpack Summary

Today's extreme winds have created wind slab (Soft to hard) tree line and above. Most fetches are stripped. This overlies a weakening mid-pack comprised of varied facet forms. This provides some questionable bridging over the basal facets and DH.

HS average at TL: ~145cm

Avalanche Summary

A road patrol down Ice fields parkway today noted a few Size 1 loose dry avalanches out of steep rocky terrain.

A Sz 2 wind slab avalanche was also observed off Mt Hardisty NW alpine face

Confidence

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.