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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 7th, 2020–Jan 8th, 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 and human triggered avalanches likely.
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 unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Jasper.

Avoid avalanche terrain. A great time to go to the ski hill.

Weather Forecast

Up to 30cm of new snow with light west winds forecasted for the next 12-18 hours and then clearing late Wednesday morning. Cooler temperatures and clearer skies forecasted for late Wednesday into Friday with light to moderate winds from the west.

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

Snowpack Summary

Up to 30cm of new snow forecasted could overlie last weeks storm snow. Possible wind slab formation could occur on lee aspects in the alpine and treeline. These would overlie buried surface hoar up to 2200m in sheltered areas. Wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above. The bottom of the snowpack consists of depth hoar and facets

Avalanche Summary

Avalanche activity expected to increase tomorrow with new snow, this will  be dependent on the amounts received. No new natural avalanche activity observed or reported today due to limited field observations. Avalanches could run full path and into below treeline.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Wednesday

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.