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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 12th, 2020–Dec 13th, 2020
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
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
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Jasper.

Despite the lack of natural activity, there is a lot of new snow present. Remember Moderate means human triggering remains possible and it is wise to assess each slope.

Weather Forecast

Sunday is clouds, sun, and flurries, trace snow, -11 and light Southwest winds. Monday will be similar. Tuesday may bring 5cm of snow, colder temperatures, and gusting 40km/hr Southwest ridge winds.

Snowpack Summary

40cm of storm snow from Dec 8th remains soft, continues to stabilize and settle. Wind-slabs only formed at exposed ridgetop features. The new snow overlies a variety of surfaces ranging from firm snow to surface facets and crusts on steep solar aspects. The depth of the Nov 4th rain crust is 60-80cm down and caps basal facets and depth hoar.

Avalanche Summary

No patrol on Saturday and nothing new reported. Thursday and Friday's patrols observed no new avalanches and visibility was excellent. Wednesday noted numerous loose dry natural avalanches size 1.5 on steep alpine slopes and explosive control released only a few slab size 2 and one size 3 on a NE alpine feature. 

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Tuesday's 40cm storm had some moderate Southwest winds which loaded some slopes into windslabs. Winds have been light to calm since then but be vigilant for wind loading signs. Caution is warranted despite the lack of natural activity.

  • Use caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.
  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

The Nov. 4 crust is down 60cm to 80cm at tree line. Triggering a wind slab could potentially step down to this deeper layer creating large destructive avalanches. Be cautious of thick to thin snowpack areas being likely trigger locations.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3