Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 5th, 2022–Apr 6th, 2022

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Regions

Jasper.

Strong winds have created fresh wind slabs in the alpine. On Wednesday watch out if the sun comes out - wet loose avalanche down low and cornices up high could wake up.

Weather Forecast

Wednesday

A mix of sun and cloud.

Precipitation: Nil.

Alpine temperature: High -8 C.

Ridge wind west: 10-25 km/h.

Freezing level: 1400 metres.

Thursday

A mix of sun and cloud.

Precipitation: Nil.

Alpine temperature: Low -8 C, High -3 C.

Ridge wind southwest: 15 km/h.

Freezing level: 2000 metres.

Snowpack Summary

Strong SW winds are redistributing the recent snow into lee features in the alpine and down into treeline. The freezing level is around 2200m. There is a sun crust high into the alpine on solar aspects and and melt freeze crust up to 2200m. There is a well settled mid-pack.

Avalanche Summary

A few small, size 1 wind slabs have been observed in higher elevation leeward features.

Confidence

Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain on Tuesday

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.