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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 14th, 2015–Dec 15th, 2015

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

Regions

Jasper.

Get it while its good folks! Conditions are ripe for getting Rad! Below 1900ms the snowpack is less supportive so travel gingerly through this terrain.

Weather Forecast

Overnight temperature threatening to drop to an appalling -20 as a cold front moves into the region. Little recovery expected over the day with forecasted highs around -15. A series of unremarkable systems expected to bring only very light flurries. NW-ly ridge top winds should be in the low moderate range bringing a sting to sensitive ginger skin.

Snowpack Summary

The snow pack is consistently supportive with little variation in mid-pack density above 2000ms. Excellent quality touring and skiing at all elevations. Wind slab can be found in lee areas at and above treeline. Dec 3rd interface is down about 60cm but it is not easily triggered. Below 1900ms the HS is more typical of the Rockies; weak and shallow.

Avalanche Summary

No new significant avalanche activity has been observed albeit minor point releases reported on solar aspects from steep rocky terrain.

Confidence

Due to the quality of field observations

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.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.