Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Apr 5th, 2016–Apr 6th, 2016

Alpine

Below Threshold

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be below threshold

Treeline

Below Threshold

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be below threshold

Below Treeline

Below Threshold

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold

Alpine

Below Threshold

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be below threshold

Treeline

Below Threshold

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be below threshold

Below Treeline

Below Threshold

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold

Alpine

Below Threshold

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be below threshold

Treeline

Below Threshold

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be below threshold

Below Treeline

Below Threshold

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold

Regions: Jasper.

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

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

Avalanche 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