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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 17th, 2014–Jan 18th, 2014
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Jasper.

It will be difficult to find good quality skiing this weekend but travel conditions should be good.  We expect ice climbing conditions to be excellent!

Weather Forecast

Temperatures will drop tonight and rebound to +5 to +7 at Treeline on Saturday.  Winds will continue to be light from the SW and sunny skies are forecast.

Snowpack Summary

Warm temperatures are promoting settlement in the snowpack. A supportive mid-pack can be found in sheltered locations.  Last weekend's storm has been stripped by extreme Northerly winds.  Wind slabs are present on lee slopes and in cross-loaded gullies. Weak basal facets are present on slopes where they haven't either slid or been blown away. 

Avalanche Summary

No new observations today.  The crew at Marmot reported minimal results on their control work, the exception being a size 2.5 on a SE facing Alpine slope on the basal facets.  Yesterday's control work on the Icefields Parkway yielded large avalanches to size 3 on all alpine aspects releasing on either the storm snow interface or on basal facets.

Confidence

Freezing levels are uncertain on Saturday

Avalanche Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

The basal facet layer is of great concern as it is  the most significant weakness in this year's snowpack.  Use extra caution in areas that have not previously avalanched, especially on open treeline slopes.
Be aware of the potential for wide propagations.Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3

Wind Slabs

Windslabs have been triggered on this interface buried in the snowpack as well as deeper on the basal facet layer.
Be aware of the potential for wide propagations due to the presence of hard windslabs.Avoid cross loaded features.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3