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Avalanche Forecast

Jan 28th, 2022–Jan 29th, 2022
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
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: Jasper.

Sun crust on solar aspects and wind effect alpine and tree line, but open sheltered trees may still have some nice turns. Forecast snow Sunday into Monday may increase the hazard - keep an eye on the forecast.

Weather Forecast

Saturday

Variable cloud.

Precipitation: Nil.

Alpine temperature: High -9 C.

Ridge wind southwest 20-35 km/hr.

Freezing level valley bottom.

Sunday

Flurries.

Precipitation: 12cm.

Alpine temperature: Low -9 C, High -5 C.

Ridge wind southwest 15 gust 45 km/hr

Freezing level valley bottom.

Monday

Scattered flurries.

Precipitation: 4cm.

Alpine Low -12 C, High -6 C

Snowpack Summary

Widespread wind effect and stripping in alpine from previous strong to extreme SW winds. Wind slab in specific areas tree line and above. Thin sun crust on steep solar aspects up to ~2300m. The midpack is mostly supportive. Weak facet layer down ~20-30cm and a crust down 40-60cm below 1950m, faceting but still reactive in snowpit tests.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new reported in the latter part of the week. Expecting that sensitivity of wind slab problem is decreasing with time and no soft snow left for transport in the alpine; uncertainty remains regarding the persistent slab sitting on the late December facets.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Sunday

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slab can be found in specific alpine and tree line terrain features. Watch out for hollow sounding snow where a hard wind slab sits over weak facets.

  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
  • Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

The slab problem overlies different layers depending on elevation and aspect. Lower elevations has a rain crust 40-60cm down with weak facets on top reacting to tests. Above 1950m, a buried facet layer down 40-50cm is the primary concern.

  • Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.
  • Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3