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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 18th, 2021–Feb 19th, 2021

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.

The Tonquin Area is officially open for winter travel. Use caution as this area is typically more shallow and therefore a weaker snowpack. Otherwise, be vigilant in all terrain for shallow locations being potential human trigger spots.

Weather Forecast

Friday is expected to be sun and flurries, a trace of new snow, -9C, and Light gusting moderate SW winds. Saturday will be unsettled weather, only a trace of snow, -11 C, and light gusting strong SW winds. There may be a shift in the weather on Sunday with 18cm of snow and strong winds by the end of the day.

Snowpack Summary

Alpine winds continue to create wind slabs in high alpine lee features particularly where local terrain increases the wind action. The upper snowpack are facets and mixed forms over a supportive mid-pack. Thinner snowpack areas it is weak, un-supportive, and facetted.

Avalanche Summary

Thursday's patrol into Whistler creek did not note any new activity. Wednesday's patrol was cut short due to a rescue.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Sunday

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.