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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 19th, 2020–Jan 20th, 2020

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Jasper.

Think twice about jumping into complex avalanche terrain as the recent cold snap has weakened the snowpack especially in thinner areas.

Weather Forecast

Temperatures will continue to warm over the next few days. Winds will become westerly and increase to Strong values by Monday evening.

Monday: Trace amounts of snow High -6 Freezing levels rising to 1500M

Tuesday: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries.

For more info: Avalanche Canada Mountain Weather Forecast

Snowpack Summary

Continued faceting of snowpack. Up to 10cm of settled recent snow may not be bonding well to the upper settled pack. 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: ~135cm.

Avalanche Summary

No new natural avalanches at Marmot and Maligne were observed today. Jan 18th Marmot had an explosive result producing a size 3 out of an alpine north facing feature that went to ground. Start zones were crossed loaded features.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Monday

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind 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.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.