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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 30th, 2022–Jan 31st, 2022

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

Regions

Jasper.

Forecasted snowfall amounts have tapered off but moderate wind with variable direction will continue to build wind slabs. Pay attention to changing conditions and be on the lookout for reverse loading caused by North wind Monday and Tuesday.

Weather Forecast

Tonight: Flurries with 8cm accumulation overnight.

Monday: Cloudy with isolated flurries and trace precipitation.

Alpine High -9 C.

Ridge wind NW 10-35 km/hr

Tuesday: Mainly Cloudy with scattered flurries and trace precipitation.

Alpine High -17 C

Northeast wind 10-20 km/h.

Wednesday: A mix of sun and cloud.

Alpine high -21.

Wind West 10km/h

Snowpack Summary

10-30 cm of wind slab sits over a buried facet layer near Parkers Ridge. Widespread wind effect & scouring in alpine and at tree line from strong SW wind throughout tenure. The mid pack has two layers of concern. The dec 26 facet layer is buried 20-40cm down with a weak crust facet combo down 40-70cm below 1950m. Snow depth varies from 50- 200cm.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity observed on the Icefields Parkway or Maligne Lake Rd on Jan 30.

A size 3 natural avalanche occurred on the West aspect of Mt. Wilson at approx. 2300m around Jan 27. We suspect this was a persistent slab with increased sensitivity due to strong solar input.

Confidence

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.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.