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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 22nd, 2020–Jan 23rd, 2020

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

Regions

Jasper.

Significant recent wind effect and cornice growth has been observed. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully as large avalanches could occur in isolated areas.

Weather Forecast

Thursday will be flurries and 8 cm of snow, high -4 °C, Winds southwest 20 km/h gusting to 45 km/h, and freezing level 1700 metres. Friday will be flurries and 7 cm of snow, Low -5 °C, High -3 °C, winds southwest 15 km/h gusting to 40 km/h, and freezing level 1800 metres. 

For more info: Avalanche Canada Mountain Weather Forecast

Snowpack Summary

The soft surface snow has become more cohesive and is bonding to the previous surfaces as it settles with mild temperatures. The upper snowpack remains mainly facetted. This is pronounced in shallow areas where there is less than 60cm height of snow. There is inconsistent bridging in the mid-pack over the weak basal facets and depth hoar.

Avalanche Summary

Wednesday's helicopter flight observed only two recent large cornice failures that initiated avalanches in the weak basal facets and one windslab avalanche. Tuesday's Icefields and Maligne patrols noted no new natural activity. Monday's explosive work South of the Icefields produced soft slabs to size 1.5 on low elevation targets.

Confidence

Freezing levels are uncertain on Thursday

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.