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Avalanche Forecast

Jan 19th, 2021–Jan 20th, 2021
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Jasper.

Its hammer time once again as 60 to 100km/hr southwest winds blast exposed terrain tree line and above. Stick to sheltered areas to avoid testing the new slabs.

Weather Forecast

Isolated precipitation overnight Tues with strong to extreme winds from the southwest.  Clearing and cooling trend follows.

Wednesday: Mix of sun and cloud.  Precip: nil. Alpine Temps: Low -14 C, High -12 C. Wind west 25km/h gusting to 80 km/h.

Thursday: Mix of sun and cloud.  Precip: nil.  Alpine Temps: Low -15 C, High -10 C. Wind light to 15 km/h.

Snowpack Summary

30cm of unconsolidated surface snow continues to settle. Wind event in progress. Strong to X southwest winds stripping exposed terrain and continuing to promote wind effect, wind slab formation and cornice growth. The midpack is supportive. Spotty buried surface hoar can be found down 30cm and 70cm in sheltered and shaded locations below tree line.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed on Monday, but significant whoomphing was observed Sunday in low angle wind effected terrain.

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Confidence

Wind effect is extremely variable

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Strong to extreme southwest winds continue to redistribute the snow well down into the terrain.  Look for newly formed wind slab in non typical places lower in lee start zones and be wary of cross loading.

  • Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.
  • Avoid steep convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3

Persistent Slabs

Use caution around thin to thick areas. Keep an eye out for surface hoar in isolated sheltered locations below treeline. A Dec weak layer exists in West facing alpine features and could be reactive to human traffic, wind loading and solar input.

  • Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain during periods of moderate to intense transport.
  • Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3