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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 31st, 2012–Jan 1st, 2013
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Jasper.

Cornices are becoming weaker with the current conditions - give them the respect they deserve by staying well back.  Enjoy the mid-winter sunshine and have a safe and Happy New Year!..

Weather Forecast

Colder temps for Wednesday then a re-warming trend towards the end of the week. Clear skies, light westerly winds, and no precipitation for the rest of the week.  Winds moderate to strong at ridgetop from the North.

Snowpack Summary

Snowpack is faceting and losing strength in shallow areas. Midpack is still generally supportive above treeline, with wind slabs in lee features at upper elevations. New surface hoar is being observed on the surface and is quite widespread. Moderate Northerly winds at ridgetop elevation may be causing some reverse loading in exposed terrain.

Avalanche Summary

Near surface faceting and a sunny day produced numerous loose snow avalanches to size 1.5 in the Columbia Icefield Area yesterday. These slides originated from steep, shallow and rocky terrain in the alpine on solar aspects.  Cornice control yesterday at Marmot Basin did not trigger any slabs in slopes below.

Confidence

The weather pattern is stable

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs can be found above treeline in exposed terrain. These slabs are generally unreactive to skier traffic, although it is still possible to trigger a slab in steep wind loaded features.
Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Avoid freshly wind loaded features.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Loose Dry

Numerous natural loose dry avalanches were observed in the past 48 hours. These slides originated from steep, rocky terrain in the alpine, as well as steep alpine gully features that are in the sun during the heat of the day.
The volume of sluffing could knock you over; choose your climb carefully and belay when exposed.Avoid travelling under cliffs that are exposed to sluffing from above.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2