Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 10th, 2015 4:00PM

The alpine rating is low, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Cornices.

garth lemke, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Moderate to strong winds and a little bit of new snow over the next few days may be enough to create pockets of thin wind slab potentially by Sunday. Monitor for this condition.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Late Friday evening to Monday will bring a series of weak cold fronts. Freezing level will be 1500m Saturday then drop to valley bottom Sunday then rise again Monday. Only limited amounts of snow is expected but winds will be moderate to strong W-SW Friday evening into Monday morning.

Snowpack Summary

Suncrust is found on solar aspects. 5-10 cm of snow can be located sporadically and largely aspect dependent over a supportive temperature crust above 2200m. Weak basal facets are bridged by a strong mid-pack in most areas at treeline and above. Monitor this weekend's wind loading patterns as wind slabs may form on a slippery crust.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been observed for sometime. Debris from recent cornice falls have been noted recently on steep unskiable terrain which DID NOT propagate any avalanches on the slopes below.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Saturday

Problems

Cornices

Cornice failures have been noted on steep unskiable terrain particularly on warm days. Avoid this overhead hazard while traveling as they are large and ominous.

Cornices become weak with daytime heating. Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Apr 11th, 2015 4:00PM