Avalog Join
Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 17th, 2024–Dec 18th, 2024
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Watchout if you find locally higher precipitation amounts. This could mean that the avalanche danger is higher than what is on the forecast.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed in the Jasper Region but a close call occurred in the Bow Summit zone in a similar snowpack. See the MIN for more information.

Snowpack Summary

The 7mm Surface Hoar that formed last week is likely flattened by winds but assume it could be preserved under a few centimeters of new snow in sheltered locations. An older buried surface hoar layer is found in sheltered alpine areas 40cm down. Lower down in the snowpack there are crusts with large faceted crystals above and below.

Weather Summary

Wednesday

Flurries.

Accumulation: 9 cm.

Alpine temperature: High -4 °C.

Ridge wind west: 20 km/h gusting to 70 km/h.

Freezing level: 1500 metres.

Thursday

Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries.

Precipitation: Trace.

Alpine temperature: Low -10 °C, High -7 °C.

Ridge wind southwest: 15-30 km/h.

Freezing level at valley bottom.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present in the snowpack.
  • Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

New snow and increasing winds will create new wind slabs. Avoid wind loaded large unsupported terrain.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

A variety of crusts with facets above and below exist at the bottom of the snowpack. These layers are going to be with us for along time and pose a low probability, high consequence situation if triggered.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5