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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 31st, 2019–Jan 1st, 2020

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

Regions

Jasper.

Happy New Year!

Strong SW winds have stripped, then loaded and cross-loaded slopes through the region.

Weather Forecast

A strong system continues through BC today. The mass of the system will remain west of the divide while trace amounts of precip will tickle the region for the next 3 days.

CAA's Mountain Weather Forecast for more specific details.

Snowpack Summary

Large surface hoar growing up to 2200m in sheltered areas. SW winds have created wind slabs on lee features treeline and above. These windslabs sit on a variety of buried wind slabs and facetted weak layers. The bottom of the snowpack consists of facets, decomposing crusts and pronounce depth hoar.

Avalanche Summary

Field team reported concerning results from snowpack tests in Southern forecast region around Mount Wilson. Moderate to hard sudden planar results at treeline on the weak basal depth hoar/facet layers.

Confidence

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.