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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 22nd, 2018–Jan 23rd, 2018
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
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
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
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
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
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Jasper.

Recent storm snow has made for good skiing at and above treeline in sheltered locations.

Weather Forecast

A strong SW flow with a series of low pressure storm cells tracking west from BC will give unsettled weather with light snow until later in the week. Tuesday: Cloudy with sunny periods/isolated flurries. Precip: 4cm. Alpine Low -13°C, High -8°C. Ridge wind moderate SW. Wednesday: Snow flurries, 9cm. Alpine temp: Low -8°C, High -4°C.

Snowpack Summary

Small  amounts of new snow this week continue to add windslab above treeline. Early January surface hoar down 35cm, mid December facets down 50cm, and basal facets 20cm above ground are the main weak layers in the snowpack. Field teams had easy shear failures today on a SE open slope at treeline in the Icefields area down both 35cm and 50cm.

Avalanche Summary

Limited visibility with no new notable avalanche observations.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations on Monday

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

Well preserved surface hoar has been found in several treeline locations in the Icefields area. Shear tests were easy failures 35cm deep on this layer.
Be aware of the potential for avalanches due to buried surface hoar in isolated areas.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

This layer is primarily weak facets and had easy failures at treeline in test profiles today down 40 to 50cm.
Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, and shooting cracks.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Wind Slabs

Small inputs of fresh storm snow with southwesterly winds continue to build small lenses of windslab in sheltered lee features.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2