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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 20th, 2021–Dec 21st, 2021

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

Regions

Jasper.

Good skiing can still be found in sheltered areas at tree line and below but the hunt is becoming more challenging.

Expect travel delays on the Icefields Parkway Thursday due to avalanche control. Check AB511 for updates.

Weather Forecast

Tuesday-  Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries and trace precipitation.

Alpine high -13

Ridge wind west: 20 km/h.

Wednesday - Snow up to 20 cm.

Alpine temp high -7 C.

Ridge wind southwest: 20 km/h gusting to 55 km/h.

Freezing level at valley bottom

Thursday - Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Trace precipitation and moderate W wind.

Snowpack Summary

Recent snow has been redistributed by variable winds creating fresh wind slab in the alpine and on exposed terrain features at treeline. The mid snowpack has settled well with a deteriorating rain crust present up to 1950m. Cold temperatures and a crust/facet layer near the base of the snowpack continues to promote basal faceting.

Avalanche Summary

Two size 1 wind slab avalanches were triggered by explosive avalanche control on Sunday in the Parkers ridge area. Avalanches occurred on cross loaded, alpine features below ridge top. No recent natural avalanche activity observed.

Please share your trip report, Ice and/or Riding conditions on Avalanche Canada's, Mountain Information Network!

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Wednesday

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.