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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 19th, 2019–Dec 20th, 2019

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

Regions

Jasper.

Significant amounts of wind and precipitation forecasted for Friday and Saturday. As the precipitation falls the hazard will rise. Expect Highway 93N to be closed Sunday. Ice climbs Weeping Wall and Polar Circus will be closed Saturday and Sunday.

Weather Forecast

"Atmospheric river" setting up to bring moist warm air from the southwest starting early friday morning and persisting through Saturday night. This system will bring moderate to strong south west winds and significant amounts of precipitation. Freezing levels could rise to 1600 meters on Friday.

Snowpack Summary

Moderate to strong SW ridge winds continue building varied strength windslabs on lee and crossloaded features at or above treeline. Persistent interfaces layered through the snowpack that might wake as the up to as the 25cm's of new snow forecasted in the next 24 hours accumulates.

Avalanche Summary

A skier accidental size 1 wind slab in an alpine feature was reported today on the south west side of Hilda Ridge. No other avalanches observed on Thursday. Expect to see more avalanche activity Friday and through the weekend.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is 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.

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.