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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 13th, 2020–Mar 14th, 2020

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

Regions

Jasper.

Frigid temps persist.  Great time to find sheltered sunny skiing on solar aspects.

Weather Forecast

The arctic air has arrived bringing cold temperatures and moderated to strong  North and Easterly gusting winds. Solar radiation will increase as the skies clear through the weekend.

More detailed forecast at: Mountain weather forecast

Snowpack Summary

The Icefields area has a well bridged mid pack overlying basal facets and depth hoar.  3-5 cms new snow from pm Mar 12th blanketing Hs. The northern region is weaker with less bridging  midpack strength above basals and depth hoar.  Isolated strong NE valley winds in the townsite area stripping existing snowpack and reverse loading Alp/TL features.

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday a field team at the Columbia Icefields noted two Deep persistent avalanches up to size 3.5 on SW & NE aspects in the alpine. Cornices loom large and threatening over enticing terrain below but may also be the trigger for the deep persistent weakness. Spindrift and point releases avalanches have also been observed in the past week.

Confidence

Due to the quality of field observations 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.

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.

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.