Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Apr 8 – 9, 2021
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Avalanche control plannedon Hwy 93N on Friday between Parkers summer and Big Bend, follow AB 511 for up to date information. The Icefields region remains wintery and good travel and riding can be found, mostly in sheltered areas.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2.5

    Significant snow is available for transport at all elevations, additional inputs forecasted. Expect wind slabs to be reactive to human triggering.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–1.5

    Solar input may trigger loose dry slides within new snow.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–3.5

    Isolated large events continue to sporadically happen. Keep in mind the overhead exposure these slides my pose to lower elevation.

Weather Forecast

Thursday night: Cloudy with clear periods and isolated flurries.Trace. Low -11 °C.Friday: Flurries. Accumulation: 6 cm. Alpine temperature: High -7 °C. Ridge wind southwest: 20 km/h gusting to 50 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom. Saturday: Scattered flurries. Risk of a thundershower. Accumulation: 4 cm.  Low -12 °C, High -9 °C.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 25cm of new snow with light winds. Snowpack shows strength and bonding in field tests; recurring instabilities are found close to surface. We are most concerned about potential to trigger deeper, persistent slabs (Fc, DH), especially as the snowpack changes with typical spring inputs (rain, sun, wet snow).

Avalanche Summary

A road patrol south today noted numerous loose dry avalanches. Most importantly, our field teams have observed few large slides running within deeper instabilities. One large slide of size 3 was observed today in Churchill slide path, a popular ski destination to many.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Regions covered