Avalog
Register
Get forecast notifications
Create an account to receive email notifications when forecasts are published.
Register
Login
Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 22nd, 2022–Jan 23rd, 2022
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
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.

Decent tree skiing can be found at Bald hills. Watch for spooky hollow sounding wind slabs as indications of potential unstable conditions.

Weather Forecast

Sunday will be clouds and sun, -6C, light to moderate West winds, and valley bottom freezing level. Expect Monday to be similar with -9 to -6C and light winds. Tuesday could have flurries, -13 to -7C, and light winds. Wednesday will be sun with clouds and -14C.

Snowpack Summary

Treeline and below, the top 30-50cm is low to medium hardness. Above Treeline a pencil windslab is the top 30cm layer. The mid-pack is medium to hard stiffness of mixed crystal forms. The bottom 30cm is relatively dense facets with DH right at ground. The snowpack appears to be bridging previous weak layers yet expect spatial variability.

Avalanche Summary

Saturday's Icefield's patrol noted one size 2 to the South of Churchill slide path on a West aspect. It initiated mid-path and ran to the bottom. Surface snowballing also occurred at low roadside paths. Maligne observed on size 2.5, persistent slab, 200m wide and 1m deep initiated by a cornice failure. Visibility was excellent in both areas.

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations on Saturday

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Main concern is where wind slab has built over weak faceted snow. Watch for a hollow sounding snowpack.

  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
  • Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

The slab problem overlies different layers depending on elevation and aspect. Below 1950m, a faceting rain crust is roughly 40-60cm down. Above 1950m, a buried surface facet layer down 20-30cm is the primary concern.

  • Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.
  • Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3