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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 21st, 2020–Feb 22nd, 2020

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

Regions

Jasper.

There are dramatic differences in the snowpack from the Icefields to Whistler creek areas. Whistler area is significantly less supportive to skiers and one large avalanche was triggered by skiers four days ago off Indian Ridge. Use caution!

Weather Forecast

Saturday will be a mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries, 5cm of snow overnight, -8 C, and West winds 15 km/h gusting to 45 km/h. Sunday will bring 7 cm of snow, and -15 to -5 C with light winds.

Find the Alberta Rockies weather synopsis here: Mountain Weather Forecast

Snowpack Summary

Variable strength windslab on most surfaces treeline and above. Solar crusts on steep South aspects up to 2200m. Pronounced cornice development on northerly aspects and cross loaded features treeline and above. The mid-pack is bridging the deeper basal facets and depth hoar in some locations but there is allot of variability.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported from field team in the Circus valley near Portal creek. 

Confidence

The weather pattern is stable

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.