Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 14th, 2021–Dec 15th, 2021

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.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Jasper.

Travel continues to be good on a mostly supportive snowpack. With cold temperatures in the forecast enjoy it while it lasts!

Weather Forecast

Wednesday

A mix of sun and cloud.

Precipitation: Nil.

Alpine temperature: High -14 C.

Ridge wind southwest: 10-20 km/h.

Freezing level at valley bottom.

Thursday

Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries.

Precipitation: Trace.

Alpine temperature: Low -23 C, High -12 C.

Ridge wind west: 10 km/h.

Freezing level at valley bottom.

Snowpack Summary

Watch out for crossloaded or reverse loaded slopes from northerly winds. Mid snowpack has settled well with a 2cm rain crust present below the recent snow up to 1950m. Another crust near the base of the snowpack continues to promote basal faceting adding to our deep persistent slab concerns

Avalanche Summary

No new activity observed on the Icefields Parkway. Marmot Ski Resort continues to get explosive triggered avalanches to slide on the deep persistent layer

Please consider sharing your trip report, Ice and/or Riding conditions on Avalanche Canada's, Mountain Information Network

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.