Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
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 possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Regions
Jasper.
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Weather Forecast
A ridge of high pressure is along the rockies providing warmer and stable weather until Thursday evening when a frontal system moves in bringing some precipitationThursday: Mix of sun and cloud. Ridge winds from the SE at 10 km/h. Alpine temps: High -7C.A detailed mountain weather forecast is available from Avalanche Canada.
Snowpack Summary
Some wind affect noted in the alpine and at tree line. Due to the cold temperatures there seems to be no slab over the persistent weakness sitting down 35-45cm (surface hoar, crusts, and/or facets). The bottom of the snowpack is structurally weak especially in shallow snowpack areas, consisting primarily of facets/depth hoar.
Avalanche Summary
One notable windslab in the alpine stepping down to ground yesterday. Loose dry avalanches up to size 2 have been naturally triggered in the facetting snowpack in steep shallow areas.On Feb 7th, a size 2 deep persistent slab was triggered by skiers in the Maligne area on a W aspect, 1950m, on a 30 degree slope (see MIN).
Confidence
Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Friday
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.