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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 2nd, 2012–Dec 3rd, 2012

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

Regions

Jasper.

Weather Forecast

Calm conditions with light snowfalls are expected overnight and through Monday. There is an expected frontal breakdown to come on Tuesday with increased amounts of snowfall in the icefields area and moderate winds from the Southwest.

Snowpack Summary

Hard test results were found at treeline on facets sandwiched between the two crusts in the icefields area. The crusts are deteriorating in this area.  Windslabs near ridgetops continue as the main concern.

Avalanche Summary

A size 3 slab was observed in the Hilda creek area. It originated from sloughing in a gully feature and expanded into a slab on a large open slope at 2400m that is the run out for the gully.  The slab likely propogated on facets around the November 01 rain crust.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Tuesday

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.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.