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Avalanche Forecast

Jan 1st, 2021–Jan 2nd, 2021
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Jasper.

Highway 93 will be closed for travel and recreation as of 10:00 AM Saturday. Expected opening on Monday.

Weather Forecast

Tonight: Snow accumulation: 12 cm. Alpine temperature: Low -6 °C. Ridge wind southwest: 20 km/h gusting to 60 km/h.Saturday: Snow, heavy at times accumulation: 27 cm. Alpine temperature: High -6 °C. Ridge wind southwest: 25 km/h gusting to 65 km/h.Sunday: Flurries. Accumulation: 12 cm. Alpine temperature: Low -10 °C, High -6 °C. Wind SW moderate.

Snowpack Summary

Light precipitation and strong SW winds through the day. 15-25cm of soft snow over a firm mid-pack with facets and depth hoar lingering near the ground. Mid-December persistent layers, including SH, and SH/FC combos can be found down 25-40cm but, only in isolated and sheltered locations, and almost exclusively in the Icefields region.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed. Forecasting field team reporting reactive new wind slab in the Icefields region. Make your field trip observations count! Share them with the local outdoor adventure community on the Mountain Information Network from Avalanche Canada.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Sunday

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Recent strong southwesterly winds are creating new wind slabs reactive to human triggering.

  • Minimize overhead exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind.
  • Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created reactive slabs.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

In the alpine hard slabs sit overtop of facets. Dec 14th surface hoar to 6mm can be found in sheltered locations up to 2200m.

  • Be aware of the potential for avalanches due to buried surface hoar in isolated areas.
  • Whumphing, shooting cracks and recent avalanches are all strong indicators of an unstable snowpack.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5