Avalog
Register
Get forecast notifications
Create an account to receive email notifications when forecasts are published.
Register
Login
Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 8th, 2022–Feb 9th, 2022
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
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
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
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
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.

Watch for rising freezing levels through the day on Wednesday and into Thursday to increase avalanche danger.

Weather Forecast

Wednesday

Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries.

Precipitation: Trace.

Alpine temperature: High -3 C.

Ridge wind west: 20 km/h.

Freezing level: 1800 metres.

Thursday

Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries.

Accumulation: 5 cm.

Alpine temperature: Low -12 C, High -4 C.

Ridge wind west: 25 km/h gusting to 75 km/h.

Freezing level: 1600 metres.

Snowpack Summary

Strong SW winds have stripped exposed alpine to rock. We expect wind slabs in crossloaded features and into tree line. A thin crust on solar aspects up to tree line below the 10cm of recent snow is likely. Several December facets layers can be found in the midpack. Facets and depth hoar are formed near the ground.

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday one large wind slab avalanche was noted on Fluted Peak on a south facing feature. Monday's Maligne and Icefield patrols noted several small loose wet low elevation avalanches triggered by the late afternoon warm sun on Sunday.

Confidence

Freezing levels are uncertain on Wednesday

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Watch for wind slabs in cross-loaded features and further down the slopes than usual due to wind intensity.

  • Use caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.
  • Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could trigger slabs.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Loose Wet

With rising freezing levels watch for wet loose avalanche on solar aspects below tree line or on steep rocky faces

  • Use extra caution on solar slopes if the snow is moist or wet.
  • If triggered, loose wet sluffs may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.

Aspects: South East, South, South West.

Elevations: Below Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5

Persistent Slabs

Persistent slabs sit over different weak layers depending on elevation & aspect. It is critical to investigate these layers before committing as there is a lot of variability dependent on aspect and elevation.

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

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3.5