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Avalanche Forecast

Jan 3rd, 2021–Jan 4th, 2021
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
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

Regions: Jasper.

Highway 93N is open. Work in to the terrain cautiously. Avalanche control on Sunday produced several size 3 avalanches that stepped down to basal weakness. Allow time for the snowpack to heal with the new load.

Weather Forecast

Monday: Mainly cloudy and will see light flurries, Up to 5cm with winds gusting to 40km/h from the SW

Tuesday: Cloudy with sunny periods, No new snow and winds again gusting to 50km/h from the SW

Wednesday: Will again see 5cm more snow and winds up to 40km/h from the SW

Snowpack Summary

45cm HST seems to be bonding well to 25-40cm of soft snow over a firm mid-pack with facets and depth hoar lingering near the ground. Mid-December persistent layers, including SH, and SH/FC combos can be found down 40-60cm but, only in isolated and sheltered locations, and almost exclusively in the Icefields region

Avalanche Summary

Avalanche control on highway 93N today had varied results from no results to several size 3 wind slabs stepping down to deep basal weakness on all aspects in the alpine. Multiple powder clouds and debris hitting the highway.

Make your field trip observations count! Mountain Information Network.

Confidence

Due to the quality of field observations

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Recent new snow 45cm and southwesterly winds are creating new wind slabs that are primed for human triggering.

  • Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created reactive slabs.
  • If triggered the storm/wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

During avalanche control today on highway 93N, Several avalanches stepped down to basal weakness. This is the first time we have seen the basal weakness fail this season. Caution!

  • Avoid thin, rocky or unsupported slopes.
  • Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could trigger the deep persistent slab.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Loose Dry

Steep rocky faces, slopes above gully's all hold enough snow to sluff off and bury you deeply if caught in a terrain trap. Caution in these area's

  • Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.
  • Avoid terrain traps, such as gullies, where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Very Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2