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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 6th, 2020–Feb 7th, 2020

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

Regions

Jasper.

Be cautious and assess each slope you ski. The Icefields zone received 60cm of snow in a very short period.

All signs are pointing toward an improving hazard but most slopes are untested.

Weather Forecast

Status Quo for weather in the forecast region expected over the weekend. So what does that mean? Seasonal temperatures (-15 to -5), cooling with elevation. Light to moderate SW winds. Scattered clouds in the morning, increasing with some light convention in the afternoon.

See Weather synopsis here: Avalanche Canada Mountain Weather Forecast

Snowpack Summary

Up to 50 cm of snow fell during last weeks storm in the forecast region. Previous mid-pack bridging over deeper instabilities is supporting the new load over the basal facets and depth hoar. This new load and bridging has still not been significantly field tested, treat the snowpack with caution.

Avalanche Summary

Good visibility for southern road patrol showed limited activity. Notably, large windslab avalanches (sz 2.5 - 3.0) were noted on NE aspects from steep, rocky features on both Mts. Athabasca and Cromwell in the Icefields Region.

Confidence

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.