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Avalanche Forecast

Apr 17th, 2013–Apr 18th, 2013
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Jasper.

Daytime warming will increase the probability of cornice failures and avalanches. Skiing is good with dust on crust.

Weather Forecast

Thursday through to Saturday will have scattered flurries and minimal precipitation accumulation.  The freezing level should reach 2000m by the afternoon with the possibility of it only going as low as 1600m on Thursday evening.  A small pulse of snow is possible Thursday evening. Temperatures will cool Saturday.

Snowpack Summary

Windslabs exist on lee aspects of exposed ridgecrests above treeline with a dusting of snow overtop. There are buried temperature crusts below 2100m and sun crusts on steep solar aspects at various elevations. Cornices are big. Overall the snowpack is solid underfoot. Below 1800m the snow is getting thinner and melting fast.

Avalanche Summary

Several moist size 2 point releases on solar aspects linked to daytime warming. A couple of semi-recent large cornice drops with no avalanches initiated below have been observed.

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Loose Wet

The frequency of moist point releases increases with daytime warming and sun particularly on steep solar aspects.
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, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Cornices

Cornices are large and a hazard by their sheer mass. They have the potential to trigger deeper layers.
Cornices become weak with daytime heating, so travel early on exposed slopes.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3

Wind Slabs

Windslabs can be found on lee aspects in exposed terrain around ridgecrests. Where these slabs sit on previous crusts, the likelihood of a skier triggered avalanche increases especially as the day heats up or the sun comes out.
Test slopes before committing to them.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3