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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 14th, 2021–Apr 15th, 2021

Alpine
Below Threshold.
Treeline
Below Threshold.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.
Alpine
Below Threshold.
Treeline
Below Threshold.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.
Alpine
Below Threshold.
Treeline
Below Threshold.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.

Regions

Jasper.

A widespread avalanche cycle is expected over the next few days. Intense solar and rising freezing level with limited overnight recovery will continue to destabilize the snowpack. Do not assume low hazard early in the day during this transition.

Weather Forecast

A blocking ridge of high pressure over Northern BC and Alberta has initiated spring conditions into the region, including the Icefields Parkway. Positive daytime temperatures, light winds, strong solar and rising freezing level to as high as 3000m can be expected daily and for the near future.

Snowpack Summary

Transitioning into spring conditions. Southerly aspects expect a crust that will break down by late morning; northerly aspects TL and above may hold dry snow depending on freezing level. Persistent intense solar and warm temps will continue to destabilize snowpack structure increasing the likelihood of natural and human triggered avalanches.

Avalanche Summary

Patrols on 93 yesterday and today noted isolated slab avalanche activity northerly alpine aspects to size 3; one size three on Snowdome - deep slab 200m wide likely triggered by serac fall. These are good reminders that large slab avalanches up to size 3 are still occurring within the bulletin region from the alpine, traveling well into TL below.

Confidence

Problems

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.

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.