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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 3rd, 2022–Jan 4th, 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.

Expect to find hard wind slabs in unusual locations as the aftermath of strong variable winds.With another cold spell creeping in, make sure to pack the extra layer or two.

Weather Forecast

Tuesday: Precipitation: Nil. Alpine temperature: High -18 °C. Light ridge wind.

Wednesday: Precipitation: Nil. Alpine temperature: Low -23 °C, High -18 °C. Ridge wind west: 10 km/h.

Thursday: Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries. Accumulation: 5 cm. Alpine temp: Low -23 °C, High -14 °C. Ridge wind southwest: 10 km/h.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 15 cm of new snow being redistributed by strong winds. Wind slabs to be expected at all elevations. Cold temps penetrated deep into the upper snowpack promoting faceting. The mid-pack is supportive with the Dec 1st interface down 40cm in most locations. Basal faceting continues below the Nov 5 crust about 15cm up from the ground.

Avalanche Summary

On Monday, field team in the parkway region saw no new avalanches, poor visibility to be considered. Saturday's explosive control on Medicine Slabs produced loose dry and fast moving facet avalanches to the road from steep treeline terrain.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

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.