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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 13th, 2023–Jan 14th, 2023

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

Regions

Brazeau, Maligne, Marmot, Pyramid.

Keep an eye on high rising freezing levels on Saturday.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Large avalanches have been observed in the west side of Jasper. No new avalanches were observed by the field team in Maligne on Friday.

If you're out in the hills, don't forget to post to the MIN. Every bit of information helps!

Snowpack Summary

High freezing levels will continue into Saturday. The alpine and open tree line terrain is wind affected. Large facets and depth hoar comprise most of the snowpack. The snowpack varies from 50-85cm in depth and is unsupportive.

Weather Summary

Saturday

A mix of sun and cloud.

Precipitation: Nil.

Alpine temperature: High -3 °C.

Ridge wind southwest: 15-30 km/h.

Freezing level: 1800 metres.

Sunday

Cloudy with sunny periods.

Precipitation: Nil.

Alpine temperature: Low -6 °C, High -3 °C.

Ridge wind south: 10 km/h.

Freezing level at valley bottom.

Alpine temperature inversion.

Detailed weather forecasts from Avalanche Canada: https://avalanche.ca/weather/forecast

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.
  • A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.

Problems

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.

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.