Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Mar 29, 2013Parks Canada
View on map
Archived · expired 14 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
Open full map

Highlights

Spring conditions exist.  Now is the time to start early and finish early in the afternoon before the snowpack heats ups and starts moving.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Warm alpine temperatures will weaken the large cornices out there. Large loads have the potential to trigger the persistent slab weakness on loaded lee slopes.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Large triggers such as cornice fall has triggered this weakness. We expect to see large avalanches on steep slopes with warm temperatures rising into the alpine and intense solar radiation.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Without a good overnight freeze, this problem will wake up by early afternoon.

Weather Forecast

The freezing level is expected to go above 2000m with light westerlies winds and mostly sunny skies.

Snowpack Summary

A 15 to 20 cm melt freeze crust on solar aspects below treeline appears to be maintaining its strength until late in the afternoon.  Isothermal conditions are beginning on shallow south facing slopes at treeline.  The alpine snowpack is relatively stable where it is thicker especially on polar aspects.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous wet loose avalanches were observed along the Parkway on all solar aspects from treeline to valley bottom.  Slides ranged from 0.5 to large 2 in size.

Confidence

Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain on Friday

Regions covered