Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 5th, 2021 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Cornices, Wind Slabs and Loose Wet.
Darren vonk,
Cornices are waking up in Jasper. Several natural cornices have failed in the Churchhill range in the last 24 hours, most releasing a slab below. Expect the wind to pick up and wind slabs to become more reactive where effected.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Tuesday:
Cloudy with sunny periods.
Precipitation: Nil.
Alpine temperature: High -3 C.
Ridge wind southwest: 15 km/h gusting to 45 km/h.
Freezing level: 1900 metres.
Wednesday:
Flurries.
Accumulation: 10 cm.
Alpine temperature: Low -7 C, High -4 C.
Ridge wind southwest: 20 km/h gusting to 70 km/h.
Freezing level: 1600 metres.
Snowpack Summary
HST of 10-30cm has settled to about 10cm of snow. Shifting winds forming isolated wind slabs at TL and ALP. The snowpack shows good bonding in field tests in deeper snowpack areas, shallow snowpack regions such as Whistler/Portal and Bald Hills have bigger a potential for weak layers to wake up and are more complex to assess.
Avalanche Summary
Monday morning there was an avalanche incident around Lake Louise. Read Min report here:
Several Size 2-3 slabs were observed in isolated extreme terrain triggered by cornices.
Solar aspects had numerous loose wet slides tree line and below.
Confidence
Problems
Cornices
Cornices have become active recently. Give these the respect they deserve and give a wide berth when you have to engage them in your travels
- Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could easily trigger the deep persistent slab.
- Extra caution needed around cornices with current conditions.
Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
New and building wind slabs can be found in lee features near ridge crests, and cross-loaded gullies.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially in steep confined alpine terrain.
- Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Several wet loose avalanches were observed Monday afternoon on solar aspects Tree line and below. Keep this in mind when planning your travel times in these locations.
- Use extra caution on slopes if the snow is moist or wet.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 6th, 2021 4:00PM
