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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 8th, 2020–Jan 9th, 2020

Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Regions

Jasper.

Probably going to be another great day at the ski hill. Avoiding avalanche terrain is advised.

Weather Forecast

Skies will continue to clear and temperatures will drop into Thursday with light winds from the northwest. Friday winds will shift to come from the west and temperatures will gradually warm into the weekend. No precipitation is forecasted for this time period.

Visit CAA's Mountain Weather Forecast for more specific details.

Snowpack Summary

A total of 65cm of storm snow since January 1st. Wind effect and slab formation on lee aspects in the alpine and treeline. This overlies buried surface hoar up to 2200m in sheltered areas as well as buried wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above. Well consolidated midpack. The bottom of the snowpack consists of depth hoar and facets

Avalanche Summary

Widespread avalanche cycle night of January 7th through January 8th up to size 3 on all aspects and elevations. Consisting of wind slab, dry loose and failing at ground

Confidence

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.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.