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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 20th, 2020–Jan 21st, 2020

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

Regions

Jasper.

Significant wind effect and cornice growth observed in the region, but no natural activity.

Weather Forecast

The arctic front has now retreated to the far north of BC.  An upper ridge is expected to pass through. Warm air continues to invade overtop and through the mountains. For more info: Avalanche Canada Mountain Weather Forecast

Snowpack Summary

Settled snow becoming more cohesive over previous surfaces, mostly facets. The upper snowpack has facetted and weakened; this is more pronounced in shallow HS areas where less than ~60cm. Inconsistent mid-pack bridging over the basal facets and DH. HS average at TL: ~135cm.

Avalanche Summary

Control work on the Icefields Parkway today produced soft slab to size 1.5 on low elevation targets. Significant warming at low elevations producing snowballs and pinwheels on solar aspects. A wet slab (size 2) released below treeline (1400m) and schmooed (definitely a technical term) onto the road at Medicine Lake late this afternoon.

Confidence

Freezing levels are uncertain on Friday

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.