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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 9th, 2019–Dec 10th, 2019

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

Regions

Jasper.

Ski quality is good but caution is advised as snow coverage over hazards such as rocks and trees may be thin. Avoid steep wind-loaded terrain.

Weather Forecast

Partly cloudy for Tues and Wed with no precipitation forecasted.  Alpine winds will ease to light on Tues and shift westerly.  Temperatures will rise to below freezing on Tues then fall back to -9 on Wed.  Light flurries are possible on Thursday.

Snowpack Summary

Recent storm snow is mostly unconsolidated except where exposed to wind where soft slabs have been formed.  The snow depth is variable at all elevations.  There is a reactive crust in the mid-pack and a weak basal facet/depth hoar layer at the base of the pack.

Avalanche Summary

Several large avalanches were observed out of steep alpine features and numerous dry loose observed out of steep terrain were observed yesterday (Sunday).  No new observations noted in the Columbia Icefields by 2 field teams today.

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations on Tuesday

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.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.

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.