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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Oct 7th, 2019–Oct 8th, 2019

Alpine
Below Threshold.
Treeline
Below Threshold.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.
Alpine
Below Threshold.
Treeline
Below Threshold.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.
Alpine
Below Threshold.
Treeline
Below Threshold.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.

Regions

Jasper.

Winter has sprung: Avalanche season is here in the Alpine. Glacier travel is also at its trickiest. Use our Weather Stations, and the ACMG's MCR for conditions; talk to people who have been out recently; or ask for Visitor Safety at 780-852-6155.

Weather Forecast

Expect the current alternation of cold fronts and sunny spells to continue. Watch out if fluctuating freezing levels, or rain, leave crusts - these may act as sliding layers down the road. Avalanche Canada offers a regional forecast (https://avalanche.ca/weather/forecast). Detailed local forecasts are available on SpotWX (https://spotwx.com/)

Snowpack Summary

An Autumn overview: (https://avalanche.ca/early-season-conditions).

Currently, Alpine areas above threshold for avalanches are widespread West of the 93N, but only isolated to the East. Many open crevasses are hidden by thin bridges of wind-blown snow. Roping up, diligent probing, and glacier reading experience are critical for glacier travel.

Avalanche Summary

Danger is highest after new snowfall, rain, or wind transport - expect increased avalanche activity during, & for 24 hrs after such events. Use extra caution where slabs lie over alpine ice -this surprised climbers on Mt Athabasca last year. Tis' the season: do your own avalanche forecasting; carry a transceiver, shovel & probe; and practice.

Confidence

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.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.

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.