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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 16th, 2020–Feb 17th, 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, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Jasper.

Stale weather to remain through Monday. Forecasts then show a slow increase in temperatures and, sunny skies.

The late winter sun is starting to penetrate the snowpack. Expect some localized instability on steep, solar aspects in the afternoon.

Weather Forecast

Zonal flow from west to east cycling through the region. A shallow trough holding the last of the moisture moving through, before flow shifts from the Northwest with the approaching ridge on the pacific. Clearing and slight warming by Tuesday/Wednesday.

Find the Alberta Rockies weather synopsis here: Avalanche Canada Mountain Weather Forecast

Snowpack Summary

Variable strength windslab on the surface. Pronounced cornice development on northerly aspects and cross loaded features treeline and above. A supportive mid-pack is bridging the deeper basal facets and depth hoar in some locations.

Average HS at treeline: ~180cm.

Avalanche Summary

Previous public MIN (Mountain Information Network) report of natural size 2, southwest aspect at treeline in the Maligne Valley (thanks @Kaylaolde!!). Field team in Whistler/Portal Creek observed no recent natural avalanche activity; ski-pen 10-15cm.

This area is now open after a seasonal delayed access restriction to protect the Woodland Caribou.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Tuesday

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.