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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 17th, 2019–Dec 18th, 2019

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

Regions

Jasper.

The wind is ripping through the forecast region with forecasted speeds exceeding 80 kph. Assess slopes carefully for slab development.

Weather Forecast

Wednesday will be cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries, a trace of snow, -7, southwest winds 15-35 km/h. Strong winds area expected Tuesday evening into Wednesday. Thursday will be similar. Friday may bring 20cm of snow we hope.

For more details: Mountain Weather Forecast

Snowpack Summary

Moderate SW winds and high relative humidity firming up the top 30cm creating soft and hard slabs. The snow depth is variable at all elevations. There is a mid-pack crust/facet layer distributed through the region. It has mixed reactivity. A weak basal facet/depth hoar layer exists at the base of the pack.

Avalanche Summary

No field patrol Tuesday. Last few days there have been no new avalanches observed or reported.

Add or View your weekend trip reports here at the CAA's Mountain Information Network

Confidence

Wind effect is extremely variable on Wednesday

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.