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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 5th, 2019–Jan 6th, 2019
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
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
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
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
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
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Jasper.

Storm snow will need some time to settle out. Localized slab development and analysis will be critically important for safe travel in the back-country. Enjoy!

Weather Forecast

Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries. Precipitation: Trace. Alpine temperature: High -5 °C. Ridge wind southwest: 20 km/h gusting to 45 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom. A detailed mountain weather forecast is available from Avalanche Canada.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 45cm of snow has fallen along the 93N. Moderate-strong SW winds have built fresh wind slabs in open terrain and storm slabs in sheltered areas. The Dec. 11th layer (surface hoar and facets) persists down 60-150cm, and continues to produce avalanches in shallow snowpack areas.

Avalanche Summary

Helicopter control produced numerous smaller avalanches, and up to size 4 at Sunset Pass; burying the Icefields Parkway with significant debris and mature trees.

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Up to 45cm of fresh snow, warm temperatures and moderate to strong SW winds are creating widespread touchy windslabs and storm slabs.
Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Storm Slabs

Storm slab will become more dangerous and reactive as the whole snowpack settles into a stiffer slab.
The new snow will require several days to settle and stabilize.Minimize exposure during periods of loading from new snow and wind.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

The new snow has added to the load on the Dec 11th weak interface. Buried more than a meter deep in some locations, this layer is strengthening but has been reactive in shallow snowpack areas recently.
Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could trigger the deep persistent slab.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3.5