Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 14th, 2019 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.

jasper snow safety, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Summary

Weather Forecast

A trough strengthens offshore in the Aleutians on Monday morning. This will push cool and unsettled air over our region. Monday: A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. Precipitation: Trace. Treeline temperature: Low -9 °C, High -4 °C.Ridge wind: light West. Freezing level: 1700 metres.

Snowpack Summary

Light snowfall and moderate SW wind building pockets of slab in the alpine. A supportive crust exists to 2,100m on all aspects and extends into the alpine on solar slopes. A winter snowpack remains on N alpine aspects, with a weak faceted layer down 20-50cm remaining a concern, and a facetted mid/lower snowpack that is weak in shallow areas.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity has been observed or reported.

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

Fresh snow and moderate winds have built fresh pockets of windslab in the alpine.

Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.Avoid steep lee and cross-loaded slopes

Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

Evidence from recent snowpack tests and whumphing would suggest that a weak layer of facets persists down 20-50cm in some areas, and may be becoming reactive with incremental loading from recent small snowfalls.

Carefully evaluate big terrain features by digging and testing on adjacent, safe slopes.Whumphing, shooting cracks and recent avalanches are all strong indicators of an unstable snowpack.

Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Valid until: Apr 15th, 2019 4:00PM