Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 11th, 2019 4:07PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Persistent Slabs, Loose Dry and Storm Slabs.

jasper snow safety, Parks Canada

Jasper.

The Icefields could receive up to 25cm of new snow in the next 24 hours.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Some weather models are calling up to 20cm of snow overnight in the Parkers Ridge area and dramatically less further north in the Tonquin and Maligne Ranges. Freezing levels forecast as a dirunal cycle with overnight freezes in the valleys and to rise to 1800m during the days. Overall unsettled convective spring weather with light variable winds.

Snowpack Summary

A supportive crust exists to 2,100m near treeline. Higher up, at treeline and above, a winter snowpack remains on N aspects . Solar facing slopes have crusts extending higher into the alpine. At upper elevation a weak faceted layer buried down 20-50cm remains of concern. The snowpack sits on a weak base of facets and depth hoar.

Avalanche Summary

No new slab avalanches have been observed although signs of cornice failures up to size 2 have been reported

Confidence

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

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Evidence from recent snowpack tests and whumphing would suggest that a weak layer of facets persists down 20-50cm in some areas, and may be becoming reactive with incremental loading from recent small snowfalls.

Whumpfing, shooting cracks and recent avalanches are all strong inicators of unstable snowpack.Carefully evaluate big terrain features by digging and testing on adjacent, safe slopes.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Loose Dry

Large Sluffs have been observed out of steep alpine terrain from the recent incremental snowfalls.

Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Storm Slabs

Up to 20cm of snow is forecasted for the Icefields region Thursday night and into Friday morning. (Very little snow is forecasted for the Maligne and Tonquin areas)

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 12th, 2019 4:00PM