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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 30th, 2014–Jan 31st, 2014

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

Regions

Jasper.

The weak basal layer could still be triggered from shallow or rocky features so use caution in your choice of terrain.

Weather Forecast

Remaining cold with the odd isolated flurry of snow.

Snowpack Summary

Previous wind slabs are providing bridging strength over a weak basal facet layer at treeline and alpine elevations. Extensive scouring of the snowpack has occurred in the high alpine. Last nights snow is giving dust on crust conditions and soft slabs in sheltered locations.

Avalanche Summary

Field teams observed three size 2 slab avalanches that occurred in the last 12 hours on southerly aspects at treeline. These had been triggered by last nights snow and strong northerly winds redistributing snow onto the existing surface hoar/facet layer.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations on Thursday

Problems

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.

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.