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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 16th, 2025–Jan 17th, 2025
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
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
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Brazeau, Churchill, Cirrus-Wilson, Fryatt, Icefields, Jasper, Maligne, Marmot, Miette Lake, Pyramid.

Weeping Wall and Polar Circus ice climbs will be closed on Friday, January 17th, for avalanche control in the area.

Snow squalls on Thursday delivered variable amounts of snow throughout the bulletin region.Assess your usual routes with a fresh mindset, as conditions have changed significantly due to new snow and strong winds.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday, Large natural wind slab observed in the alpine on east aspect near Jasper Skytram. Road patrol down the Icefield Parkway observed a few large avalanches initiating in steep alpine and running far down the path, entraining facets and more snow along the way. Visibility was limited.Local ski resort has been reporting sporadic results on the deep persistent layer in the alpine.

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack is 70- 130 cm in depth at tree line. 10- 15 cm of storm snow sitting on the surface. The middle of the snowpack is facetted and there is a deep persistent layer at the base of the snowpack consisting of a decomposing melt freeze crust and depth hoar.

Weather Summary

Friday

Mix of sun and cloud. Alpine high of -15 with temperatures dropping throughout the day. Light north winds at ridge tops. Freezing levels at valley bottom

Saturday

Sunny. Precipitation: Nil. Alpine temperature: Low -24 °C, High -19 °C. Ridge wind light to 15 km/h.This trend will persist into Sunday.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
  • Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain; avalanches may run surprisingly far.
  • Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Recent snow and strong winds created new wind slabs in many high elevation features. If triggered, they have the potential to step down to deeper instabilities.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2

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 a long time and pose a low probability, high consequence situation if triggered.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Loose Dry

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2