Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 5th, 2016 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 Deep Persistent Slabs, Wind Slabs and Cornices.

deryl kelly, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Dust on crust and moderate west winds for Wednesday. Keep to slopes where the crust maintains strength enough to hold the rider.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Cloudy with scattered flurries with forecasted accumulation of 4cm. Alpine temperatures expected near +1 C with gusty moderate west winds keeping everything cool.

Snowpack Summary

Cold temps developing a strong surface crust (20cm to 3cm at 2100m) at tree-line and below. Isothermal snowpack with that crust holding up through the day Tues. making travel easy. Persistent slab, 30 to 70cms thick, reacting to compression tests on facets in the low moderate range. Expect to see this more reactive underfoot as crust breaks down.

Avalanche Summary

New and old activity to size 2.5, mostly on solar aspects observed by field teams today along the Icefields Parkway. Mix of loose wet and slab avalanches observed.

Confidence

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Cooling temperatures will reduce the likelihood of triggering this problem. Shallow areas are likely trigger spots.

Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Wind Slabs

New surface windslab developing with moderate to strong S-Swly winds. Look for these on northerly aspects at ridge top and open areas.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Cornices

Cornice failures are becoming more frequent lately. New snow and moderate West winds will increase size.

Cornices become weak with daytime heating.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 6th, 2016 4:00PM