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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 11th, 2022–Jan 12th, 2022
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
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
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Jasper.

Rising temperatures will stress the snowpack.

The Icefields Parkway and Maligne Lake Road are expected to close Wednesday at 1200h - Thurs PM for avalanche control.

No skiing or Ice climbing during this period please.

Check AB 511 for up to date info.

Weather Forecast

Wednesday: Flurries. 6 cm accumulation.

SW wind 15-35 km/h

Freezing level 1800m

Thursday: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Trace precipitation.

West wind 20km/h gusting 60.

Freezing level 1900m

Friday: Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries.

SW wind 20km/h

Freezing level 1400m

Snowpack Summary

Strong SW are creating wind effect and building windslabs on leeward slopes. These windslabs are expected to become more reactive as temperature rises. The mid snowpack remains faceted with the December persistent weak layers buried 40-70cm. Basal facets and depth hoar can be found at the base of snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

Several natural loose dry avalanches observed on the Icefields parkway and on Maligne lake road over the past 24h

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slab development will continue with new snow available on wednesday and strong SW wind. Expect wind slabs to become increasingly reactive as temperature rises.

  • If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

A persistent slabs sit over 2 different layers depending on elevation. Below 1950m, the persistent weak layer is the Dec 1 rain crust. Above 19950m, facets buried on Dec 26 are the primary concern.

  • Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Loose Dry

  • Loose dry avalanches could easily trigger Wind Slab or Persistent Slab avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5