Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 12th, 2014–Dec 13th, 2014

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

Regions

Jasper.

Weather is promising but you need to make careful evaluation of any slopes and features you venture into!

Weather Forecast

Cooling temps, dropping freezing levels increased pressure, broken skies, sunshine and new, settling storm snow equal a great day to go riding!

Snowpack Summary

Overnight storm produced variable snowfall amounts through the forecast area. Up to 40cms at Marmot Basin tampering to 12cm at Hilda/Parkers. Touchy conditions still exist in isolated areas at treeline and sub alpine elevations in cross-loaded and lee features. The facet crust layers near the base of the snowpack susceptible to human triggering.

Avalanche Summary

Several avalanches up to sz 2.5 was observed in the field today. Control results at Marmot produced a very large size 3.5 that went full depth wall to wall in Charlie's Bowl!  Several other large natural avalanches were also reported around the ski hill on wind loaded alpine slopes.

Confidence

Due to the quality of field observations

Problems

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.

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.