Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Apr 9 – 10, 2013Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 13 years ago

Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

A spring storm on Wednesday will bring strong westerly winds, rain at lower elevations and up to 25 cm above 2000 m.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–3
    Cornices are big and will continue to build with the forecasted weather.  Minimize your exposure time beneath them and staying well back from wind exposed ridge crests.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Up to 25 cm of storm snow accompanied by strong SW winds will build slab conditions on the smooth sliding surface formed by previous temperature crusts on lee treeline and alpine slopes.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2
    10-15 mm of rain on Wednesday will destabilize the melt freeze crust currently covering the isothermal snow below.  Expect loose wet slides on steeper slopes and in gulley features.

Weather Forecast

Expecting 10 to 15 mm of precipitation on Wednesday.  This will fall as rain at lower elevations and may translate to over 25 cm of snow at and above treeline.  Strong westerly winds will accompany this precipitation and temperatures will remain cool for this time of year.

Snowpack Summary

Rain will weaken the melt freeze crust below treeline producing a wet and unconsolidated snowpack.  Windslabs will build on the smooth temperature crusts at and above treeline on north to east aspects.

Avalanche Summary

No avalanche activity has been reported or observed in the past 5 days.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Wednesday

Regions covered