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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 22nd, 2015–Jan 23rd, 2015
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
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
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
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
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

Regions: Jasper.

Should the sun peak out of the clouds for a longer period, avalanche activity will increase on the solar aspects in gully features. Also, if the weekend storm comes early it will produce rain at lower elevations with the expected warm temperatures.

Weather Forecast

Overcast skies will begin producing light snowfalls by mid afternoon in the icefields area and it will rain at lower elevations. The weekend will bring steady warm, heavy snow in the south part of the forecast area.  The freezing level is expected to go up to 1800m on Saturday afternoon and stay there through the weekend.

Snowpack Summary

A highly variable snowpack exists throughout the forecasting region. Steady strong SW winds have scoured open slopes in the alpine and redistributed that snow lower on the lee aspects. Warming temperatures combined with periodic sun through the clouds could start small slides in the rocks which may step down when they hit a more open slope below.

Avalanche Summary

The sun came out in the afternoon and triggered a size 2 slab avalanche in a shallow alpine gully feature on a west facing aspect indicating that the sun is gaining strength. Below treeline, road cutbanks facing the south are creating snowballing and small loose avalanches.

Confidence

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

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Strong SW winds have have scoured open slopes on solar aspects and redistributed that snow into wind slabs on lee aspects and cross loaded features. This extra load combined with a skier could be sufficient to initiate an avalanche
Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

The weak layer of surface hoar and facets from December can still be found and may become susceptible to triggering with more snow loading.
Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3