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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 14th, 2014–Mar 15th, 2014

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Jasper.

Our weather forecast models are calling for close to 25cm of snow starting on Saturday night through into Monday morning in the Icefields area.

Weather Forecast

Our forecast models are calling for heavy snowfall in the Icefields area starting on Saturday evening . This combined with moderate to strong south westerly winds and relatively warm conditions should lead to an increase in the avalanche hazard.

Snowpack Summary

Very strong winds and mild temperatures earlier in the week have led to touchy slab conditions, particularly at tree line. Good skiing can still be found in sheltered locations but care should be taken in selecting your line.

Avalanche Summary

Field team remotely triggered several avalanches in the Parker Ridge and Hilda Creek area on Wednesday. These stiff slabs were easily triggered from adjacent slopes and combined with extensive whumphing highlights the unstable nature of the snow at treeline in certain locations. 

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.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.