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Avalanche Forecast

Jan 10th, 2021–Jan 11th, 2021
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
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
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Jasper.

Watch for increasing hazard as the storms roll in. Especially in wind loaded areas where snow accumulations may be more than forecasted. Also, a reminder of the closures for caribou habitat. Check them out before planning your next adventure.

Weather Forecast

Monday: Flurries:8 cm. Alpine temp: High -6 °C. Ridge wind southwest: 25 km/h gusting to 75 km/h.

Tuesday: Snow:19 cm. Alpine temp: Low -7 °C, High -4 °C. Ridge wind southwest: 25 km/h gusting to 70 km/h.

Wednesday: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries:5 cm. Alpine temp: Low -14 °C, High -8 °C. Ridge wind west: 15 km/h gusting to 50 km/h.

Snowpack Summary

The top layer is 40cm of new snow from Jan 3rd which has settled down to 20-30cm in sheltered spots or was redistributed by SW winds into wind-slabs at higher elevations. It overlies a sporadically distributed surface hoar and facet layer down 40-70cm. The mid-pack is supportive except in shallow locations. The bottom is weak facets and depth hoar.

Avalanche Summary

Saturday's flight and weather station service the team did not observe any new avalanches with excellent visibility and lots of terrain covered. Wednesday's patrol to the Icefield's had one size 3, N aspect, high alpine, 1m thick and 300m wide on the backside of Mushroom peak being a wind-loaded spot. Use Mountain Information Network to report.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Ongoing Strong to Extreme SW winds continue to form wind slabs at treeline and above. They appear to be stubborn with  only a few natural avalanches observed in the past 4 days, but be vigilant for human triggering.

  • If triggered the storm/wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
  • Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created reactive slabs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

Use caution around thin to thick areas where buried deeper weak layers could be triggered. The surface hoar layer down 40-70cm seems unreactive and spotty distribution but keep it on your radar.

  • Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

When the snowpack is thick, this weakness should be well bridged and less susceptible to triggering. Triggering this deep layer would be low probability but high consequence.

  • Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could easily trigger the deep persistent slab.
  • Avoid thin, rocky or unsupported slopes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3