Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 2nd, 2018 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs, Cornices and Persistent Slabs.

deryl kelly, Parks Canada

Jasper.

A noticeable hiatus in the Spring transition is giving plenty of opportunity to get good riding on dry snow. Persistent instabilities will persist for the remainder of the season...Don't, don't, don't, don't! Don't you, forget about me!

Summary

Weather Forecast

"La Nina" spring continuing (cool and moist). Next 24hrs expect continued broken skies, no significant precip and alpine temperatures to reach a high of -8Â°C. Light winds through the region.

Snowpack Summary

A variety of slab conditions exist on most aspects at treeline and above. 10-20cm of recent storm snow has created a settled new wind slab. This slab can be up to 30cm thick . Below this, older slabs up to 60cm thick sit on a sun-crust on solar aspects and facets on polar aspects. Below treeline the snow is shallow.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported or observed. Field team reported finding signs of lingering instability at TL; whumphing and cracking but could not get anything to initiate into a slide.Â

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

In most cases this interface presents as a manageable surface instability and is expected to go dormant pretty quickly. Pay close attention to any fellow travelers above and/or below you as enter fresh terrain.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.Use caution on open slopes and convex rolls

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Cornices

Cornices are growing with fresh snow additions. Several failures were noted, in most cases triggering a slab below.

Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could easily trigger deep slabs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Persistent Slabs

Wind slabs sit on a hard melt-freeze crust on solar aspects, and facets on polar aspects. Assess the bond at these interfaces carefully before committing to to a slope.

Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Valid until: Apr 3rd, 2018 4:00PM