Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 16th, 2025–Jan 17th, 2025

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

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.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Jasper, Brazeau, Churchill, Cirrus-Wilson, Fryatt, Icefields, Maligne, Marmot, Miette Lake, Pyramid.

Weeping Wall and Polar Circus ice climbs will be closed on Friday, January 17th, for avalanche control in the area.

Snow squalls on Thursday delivered variable amounts of snow throughout the bulletin region.Assess your usual routes with a fresh mindset, as conditions have changed significantly due to new snow and strong winds.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday, Large natural wind slab observed in the alpine on east aspect near Jasper Skytram. Road patrol down the Icefield Parkway observed a few large avalanches initiating in steep alpine and running far down the path, entraining facets and more snow along the way. Visibility was limited.Local ski resort has been reporting sporadic results on the deep persistent layer in the alpine.

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack is 70- 130 cm in depth at tree line. 10- 15 cm of storm snow sitting on the surface. The middle of the snowpack is facetted and there is a deep persistent layer at the base of the snowpack consisting of a decomposing melt freeze crust and depth hoar.

Weather Summary

Friday

Mix of sun and cloud. Alpine high of -15 with temperatures dropping throughout the day. Light north winds at ridge tops. Freezing levels at valley bottom

Saturday

Sunny. Precipitation: Nil. Alpine temperature: Low -24 °C, High -19 °C. Ridge wind light to 15 km/h.This trend will persist into Sunday.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain; avalanches may run surprisingly far.
Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.

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.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.