Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 6th, 2021 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs, Persistent Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.

Garth Lemke,

Email

Jasper.

Winds have moderated but expect wind slabs have developed at tree line and above. Although natural avalanche activity has decreased, conservative terrain selection is advised and assess every slope.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Thursday will be clouds and sun, no new snow, -7C and light SW winds. Friday will be similar with 10-20km/hr SW winds. Saturday will be slightly cooler but very similar to previous days. No new snow is expected for the next 5 days. 

Snowpack Summary

40cm of new snow from Sunday is being redistributed by SW winds mainly at exposed ridge-tops. This new snow overlies a sporadically distributed surface hoar and facet layer down 40-70cm. The mid-pack is supportive except in shallow locations. The bottom is weak facets and depth hoar.

Avalanche Summary

No patrol on Wednesday and nothing reported. Tuesday's Hilda patrol had no new. Sunday-Monday, after the 40cm storm, several large avalanches were observed in the alpine. Sunday's explosive control had varied results with some several size 3 wind slabs. Some stepped down. Make your observations count by using Mountain Information Network.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Consistent strong SW winds continue to form wind slabs treeline and above. They appear to be stubborn but be vigilant.

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

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

Use caution around thin to thick areas where buried weak layers could be triggered.

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

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs

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

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 7th, 2021 4:00PM

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