Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 13th, 2014 4:30PM

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

a.l. horton, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Spring conditions - travel early and be off slopes before it warms up. The Maligne Lake Road is closed but will likely open Monday evening. Expect delays on the Icefields Parkway late in the afternoon.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Cold tonight then warm and sunny tomorrow with S winds.Â A cool day with flurries is expected Tuesday.

Snowpack Summary

A crust extends from below treeline (TL) to sunny TL aspects. The crust will maintain its strength until it is exposed to prolonged sun and warm temperatures. Wet to moist snow is present below the crust depending on elevation and aspect. Windslabs look thick on all lee alpine and TL slopes. Cornices are large and looming.

Avalanche Summary

Several size 1-2 loose avalanches noted Sunday from alpine to below treeline. They only occurred on the steepest solar aspects and stopped where angle eased. A couple cornice failures were noted in the alpine which did not result in any propagation.

Confidence

Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain on Monday

Problems

Loose Wet

A melt freeze crust is present with wet snow beneath. The crust will deteriorate by mid afternoon. Steep solar aspects have the greatest likelihood.

Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

Windslabs are present below ridgelines and on cross-loaded features. No avalanche activity has been observed on these slabs but field teams have not tested bonding.

If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Apr 14th, 2014 4:00PM