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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 8th, 2014–Dec 9th, 2014

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Regions

Jasper.

The avalanche hazard is trending up this week as the new snowfall is likely to build new storm slabs and potentially overload existing weaknesses in the snowpack.

Weather Forecast

A forecast of snow, moderate south westerly winds and milder temperatures will lead to the accumulation of slab at alpine and treeline elevations. Rain is likely below treeline.

Snowpack Summary

Warm temps are reaching into the alpine and are promoting settlement of last week's storm snow. Isolated windslab can be found in exposed areas in the alpine. The main concern is the interface between the settled storm snow and several crusts near the bottom of the snowpack. This interface is producing widespread whumphing at treeline.

Avalanche Summary

No field patrols today.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Tuesday

Problems

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.

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.