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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 3rd, 2020–Jan 4th, 2020

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

Regions

Jasper.

ICEFIELDS HIGHWAY WILL BE CLOSED SATURDAY JAN 4TH AT NOON FROM ATHABASCA FALLS TO SASKATCHEWAN CROSSING FOR AVALANCHE CONTROL, TENITIVE OPENING SUNDAY JANUARY 5TH AT 18:00. Check 511.alberta.ca for updates.

Weather Forecast

Tonight/tomorrow: Flurries. Precipitation 21cm Highs -7 Winds Moderate Westerly gusting to 70km/h.

Sunday: Snow up to 8cm accompanied by Moderate SW winds with Strong gusts. A cooling trend with day time highs of -14.

Tonight: Visit CAA's Mountain Weather Forecast for more specific details.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 25cm HST has fallen in the past 36 hours with an additional 30cm forecasted for tonight and into tomorrow. Buried surface hoar, present up to 2200m in sheltered areas. SSW winds continue to created new wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above. The bottom of the snowpack consists of pronounced facets, decomposing crusts and depth hoar.

Avalanche Summary

Minimal wind affect in BTL terrain that was observed today, A quick hasty test pit showed Sudden collapse results on the basal weakness

Concerning results from snowpack tests in Southern forecast region around Mount Wilson. Moderate to hard sudden planar results at treeline on the weak basal depth hoar/facet layers.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

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.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.