Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Apr 20 – 21, 2014Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 12 years ago

Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Plan to travel early to take advantage of the crust and be off big slopes by mid-day. The avalanche hazard will rise on slopes with prolonged exposure to the sun.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Overnight recovery of the melt freeze crust is occurring; however, expect loose wet slides by mid-day especially if exposed to intense solar radiation. Gauge the amount of overnight freeze of the crust to how quickly it can destabilize.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–3
    No recent activity on this layer; however, triggering remains possible from thin rocky areas on loaded features.

Weather Forecast

Monday will be seasonal temperatures, some cloud, and light SW winds. Tuesday will be similar yet expect precipitation developing late in the day, shifting winds from SE, snow at higher elevations likely being rain below 2500m. Some models are suggesting 25cm of snow which could translate to significant amount of rain.

Snowpack Summary

The crust is staying intact except for the steepest solar facing aspects below tree-line. The snowpack remains moist below this crust up to tree-line elevation. Higher elevations, the snowpack is a well bridged mid-pack over a faceted base. Cornices are large and ominous.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche observed Sunday at Maligne and Icefields.

Confidence

Freezing levels are uncertain on Tuesday

Regions covered