Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.
Regions
Jasper.
Watch for the wind to switch directions to the north and for temperatures to drop on Friday afternoon that will mark the end of the snowfall.
Weather Forecast
Click here for the Avalanche Canada mountain weather forecast.
Snowpack Summary
The Oct. 25th crust/facet combo remains the main concern. This layer is buried an average of 30 to 65cm, and is present on most slopes with sufficient snowpack for safe skiing - we expect this layer to linger for sometime. Forecasted snow and moderate winds will add more load to this weak layer as well as create new windslabs at higher elevations.
Avalanche Summary
Last week the Oct 25th layer produced some large natural avalanches (up to size 2.5) throughout the Rockies from as far south as Kananaskis Country, north to Yoho, the Icefields, Jasper and Marmot Basin Ski Hill.
Confidence
Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Friday
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.