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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 19th, 2020–Dec 20th, 2020

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

Regions

Jasper.

A series of storms will enter the region over the next few days. The more snow and wind we receive the higher the avalanche danger. Avalanche control forecasted on 93N between Sunday morning and Tuesday afternoon. Check 511 for up to date information

Weather Forecast

Saturday night: Up to 25cm of new snow with continued moderate SW winds

Sunday: Periods of snow. Accumulation: 16 cm. Alp tmp: Low -9 C, High -3 C. Mostly light ridge wind occasionally gusting to 40 km/h. Freezing level: 1700 metres.

Mon and Tues: Accumulation: Up to 30cm.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 30cm of storm snow over last few days. SW winds continue to build wind slabs in the alpine and open treeline. Surface hoar down ~35cm in sheltered locations treeline and below. The midpack is generally supportive with a weaker base consisting of facets and some locations depth hoar. Avg depth is 65cm - 160cm depending on region and elevation.

Avalanche Summary

Road patrol south today no new avalanches observed. One recent wind slab size 2.5 avalanche was observed Friday that was out of a East facing alpine feature in the Mount Wilson area otherwise nothing else was observed. Over the last four days compression tests in the ice fields treeline and below produced no results.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Saturday

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.

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.

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.