Wind Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Likely
- Size
- 1–3
Slabs have formed on a variety of aspects from moderate to strong winds (with extreme gusts). This condition is more prevalent with increasing elevation.
Avalanche forecast
View on mapJasper
Jan 17 – 18, 2013Parks Canada
Archived · expired 14 years ago
Avalanche danger
Thu
Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
Highlights
Direct solar radiation is not forecast, but should it occur, the avalanche danger will increase rapidly at all elevations.
Avalanche problems
Loose Dry
NNEESESSWWNW- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Possible - Likely
- Size
- 1–2
Wind and warming temperatures are triggering point releases, most commonly out of steep and rocky terrain.
Deep Persistent Slabs
NNEESESSWWNW- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Likely
- Size
- 2–3
Surface instabilities such as loose snow and new windslabs may step down to ground, which means a small avalanche has the ability to become large very quickly. This will occur more likely in shallow snowpack areas.
Weather Forecast
Cloudy skies, strong NW winds and mild temperatures with freezing levels around 1400m on Thursday. No precipitation during the day but maybe up to 8 cm overnight Thursday.
Snowpack Summary
Snowpack remains thin and facetted at lower elevations, but is supportive above tree line. Last week's storm snow has buried a surface hoar layer (Jan6) down approx 30cm. Windslabs have formed on Southwesterly alpine aspects and previous significant snow transport by intense winds.
Avalanche Summary
Basal facet avalanches (both slab and loose) have been observed below treeline today. Yesterday, numerous size 2 and a few size 3 natural soft and hard slab avalanches were observed in the alpine. Many of these slides are stepping to ground and running to valley bottom.
Confidence
Freezing levels are uncertain on Thursday