Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Apr 22 – 23, 2015Parks Canada
View on map
Archived · expired 11 years ago

Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
No rating
Treeline
No rating
Below
No rating
Open full map

Highlights

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    Cornices are large and can collapse anytime. This is a trigger that could initiate a full depth avalanche. Pay attention to what is above and avoid cornice exposed slopes.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–3
    As temperatures warm up so does the potential for loose wet avalanches. It may be enough to trigger deeper basal layers on steeper unsupported slopes.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3
    Time to put full depth avalanches on the radar. The potential for this is related to extent of overnight recovery, large triggers such as a cornice failure, and daytime warming. This increases as spring conditions progress. 

Weather Forecast

Variable cloud and light West winds for Thursday and Friday. Freezing level 1000m Wednesday night rising to 2000m for Thursday and Friday during the day.

Snowpack Summary

Warm temps have softened up the snow surface into spring conditions. At treeline, lee aspects have a series of windslabs sandwiched with thin weaknesses in the upper snowpack. A strong midpack bridges over weak basal facets on Northerly aspects at treeline and above.

Avalanche Summary

Loose wet avalanches to size 2.5 are occurring at most elevations in the afternoons. Some running on crusts and others scouring to ground. Cornice failures to size 2.5 have occurred on North to East aspects. One size 3 slab with 2 m crown was observed on indian ridge yesterday. Time to put full depth avalanches on the radar.

Confidence

Regions covered