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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 19th, 2019–Jan 20th, 2019

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

Regions

Jasper.

Moderate to strong SW winds have transported new snow over a variety of surfaces, in some areas (near TL) surface hoar may be preserved and reactive. Use caution near bigger features or terrain traps.

Weather Forecast

Moderate to strong SW winds over the day and forecast through the night Sat. will transport any available snow into the immediate lees. Winds forecasted to shift from the west by morning to light values. Expect a mix of sun and cloud. No new snow, and alpine temps to -10 °C. A detailed mountain weather forecast is available from Avalanche Canada.

Snowpack Summary

New wind slab, especially around the Icefields can be expected at ridge tops and immediate lees. They will lie over a mix of old surfaces (facets and/or surface hoar) and may show some inconsistent reactivity, treat with caution. All this, over a generally strong mid-pack over the deep persistent weaknesses of facets and depth-hoar.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed or reported. Be a part of the Avalanche Forecasting team by reporting your field trip this weekend on Avalanche Canada's Mountain Information Network.

Confidence

Wind effect is extremely variable on Sunday

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.