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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 5th, 2020–Jan 6th, 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 possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Jasper.

Careful terrain considerations will be key to avoiding involving yourself in an avalanche. Avoid wind loaded features underfoot, or those that are overhead.

Weather Forecast

Cold front will pass through region Sunday night bringing clearer skies and minimal precipitation for Monday. Tuesday we could see up to 10cm of new snow with cool temps persisting and moderate west winds at ridgetop.

Visit CAA's Mountain Weather Forecast for more specific details.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 35cm of settling new snow below treeline overlies buried surface hoar up to 2200m in sheltered areas. Moderate SW winds continue to create and build on existing wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above. The bottom of the snowpack consists of well developed facets, depth hoar, and decomposing crusts.

Avalanche Summary

Highway 93 was closed today for avalanche control. Some natural activity was noted up to size 3 out of steep alpine features, however limited observations today given the weather. Explosive triggered avalanches up size 2.5 failing at ground.

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.

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.