Avalanche Forecast

Issued: May 5th, 2013 4:00PM

The alpine rating is below threshold, the treeline rating is below threshold, and the below treeline rating is below threshold. Known problems include Loose Wet, Wind Slabs and Cornices.

mike eder, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Spring conditions exist. Warm temperatures, poor overnight freezing and intense solar radiation will combine to produce avalanche activity on hot afternoons. Avoid overhead cornice hazards and finish your trip early in the day.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Spring conditions exist with a weak frozen crust in the morning that will break down sometime in the day as the temperatures rise and solar radiation increases.Â WarmÂ temperatures will cause poor overnight recovery with only a light freeze. This will progress as the days get longer and the nights get warmer.

Snowpack Summary

The 40cm of snow that fell last week in the Icefields area has been blown into windslabs below easterly alpine ridgelines. On Southerly aspects, this new snow is becoming wet and is sliding on a buried suncrust. Relatively warm overnight temperatures are limiting the development of a supportive crust.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanche patrol has taken place.Â With warmer temperatures and poor overnight recovery,Â afternoon avalanche activity is expectedÂ on solar aspects and the occasional slab release from isolated windloaded terrain.

Confidence

Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

Problems

Loose Wet

Warm temperatures and strong solar effect are creating loose wet avalanches that may go full depth and travel a long distance. Avoid large open slopes on hot afternoons.

Start and finish early before the surface crusts melt.Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Wind Slabs

A significant amount of snow fell in the area during the last week of April and was distributed by winds onto lees aspects. Expect to see slab avalanches from windloaded terrain on hot afternoons.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Cornices

Large cornices are looming. On failure, deep releases may run far into the valley bottom.

Extra caution needed around cornices with current conditions.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: May 6th, 2013 4:00PM