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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 23rd, 2020–Jan 24th, 2020

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Jasper.

Lots of changes happening to the snow pack this week. Temperatures took a positive jump, consistent SW winds, sporadic rain and irregular, strong solar effect.

Evaluate the snow, and manage your exposure in the terrain carefully.

Weather Forecast

A steady SW flow will bring continued mild temps and light precipitation to the region over the day with a modest increase in freezing levels to near treeline. For more detailed analysis: Mountain Weather Forecast

Snowpack Summary

The surface snow has become more cohesive and is bonding to the previous surfaces as it settles with mild temperatures. The upper snowpack remains mainly facetted particularly in shallow areas where there is less than 60cm height of snow. There is inconsistent bridging in the mid-pack over the weak basal facets and depth hoar.

Avalanche Summary

Thursday's field patrol in Icefields had poor visibility, no new natural activity was reported. Wednesday's helicopter flight observed only two recent large cornice failures that initiated avalanches in the weak basal facets and one windslab avalanche.

Confidence

Freezing levels are uncertain on Friday

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.