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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 17th, 2020–Jan 18th, 2020
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Jasper.

As temperatures warm and winds pick up, avalanche danger will increase.

Weather Forecast

Temperatures will continue to warm over the next few days and the inversion will dissipate. Winds will become westerly and increase as well.

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

Snowpack Summary

Continued faceting of snowpack. Up to 15cm of new light dry snow is not 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: ~145cm.

Avalanche Summary

Widespread dry loose avalanche cycle over the past 60 hours up to size 2. An ice dagger collapse off of Curtain Call produced a size 1.5 failing on ground.

Confidence

Wind effect is extremely variable on Sunday

Avalanche Problems

Loose Dry

Up to 15cm new snow not bonding well to previous surface. As temps warm expect continued dry loose out of steep terrain.

  • Avoid terrain traps, such as gullies, where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Wind Slabs

New wind slabs forming on easterly aspects at ridgetop along with cornice growth. Buried wind slabs on all aspects in the alpine could become more reactive as temperatures warm.

  • Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.
  • If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

The recent cold weather has promoted facetting and weakening of the snowpack compromising the bridging strength. Potential for triggering these deeper layers could increase as temperatures warm.

  • Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3