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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 9th, 2020–Feb 10th, 2020

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

Regions

Jasper.

Moderate to strong SW winds are creating windslabs on NE to SE aspects. 

Watch for solar warming on steep Southerly aspects. Overhead pockets  can prove be a significant hazard for ice climbing teams.

Weather Forecast

Generally broken skies in the region this week. Some sporadic snow accumulating to no more than a trace. Freezing levels around 2000 metres. Alpine winds are expected increase in strength overnight Sunday, blowing from the northwest at 30-50 km/h.

See Weather synopsis here: Avalanche Canada Mountain Weather Forecast

Snowpack Summary

SW winds have created deep pockets of windslab and pronounced cornice development on North aspects. Mixed slab character, support and sensitivity in the mid-pack is bridging the deeper basal facets and depth hoar. Average HS at treeline: ~160cm.

Avalanche Summary

Previous large avalanches observed on Northly aspects and triggered by large loads (like cornices). These have been entraining mass and gaining momentum, often traveling into below treeline elevations and terminating at valley bottom. Do not loiter in run-outs.

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.

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.