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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 19th, 2019–Jan 20th, 2019
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
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
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
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
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
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Jasper.

Moderate to strong SW winds have transported new snow over a variety of surfaces, in some areas (near TL) surface hoar may be preserved and reactive. Use caution near bigger features or terrain traps.

Weather Forecast

Moderate to strong SW winds over the day and forecast through the night Sat. will transport any available snow into the immediate lees. Winds forecasted to shift from the west by morning to light values. Expect a mix of sun and cloud. No new snow, and alpine temps to -10 °C. A detailed mountain weather forecast is available from Avalanche Canada.

Snowpack Summary

New wind slab, especially around the Icefields can be expected at ridge tops and immediate lees. They will lie over a mix of old surfaces (facets and/or surface hoar) and may show some inconsistent reactivity, treat with caution. All this, over a generally strong mid-pack over the deep persistent weaknesses of facets and depth-hoar.

Confidence

Wind effect is extremely variable on Sunday

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Moderate winds over the day and night Saturday will create new windslab over a mix of surface conditions (facets, surface hoar, crust). Expect these to be reactive with extra caution to areas where surface hoar may be preserved.
Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

Use caution in shallow snowpack areas where deep weakness would be more reactive to a human trigger. An avalanche of this nature would be large with severe consequences.
Avoid steep convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.Avoid thin, rocky or sparsely-treed slopes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3