By early afternoon the avalanche danger will have increased significantly at which time you should plan to be out of all avalanche terrain. Afternoon closures along the Icefield Parkway and Maligne Lake road are possible.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Temperatures are not expected to cool off during the next 24hrs. Light westerly winds and lots of sunny periods can be expected. Day time highs of 17 degrees for the town of Jasper. These weather factors in combination will result in the avalanche danger increasing rapidly during the day particularly at lower elevations and on solar facing slopes.
Snowpack Summary
A 5 to 10 cm melt freeze crust on solar aspects below treeline appears to be maintaining its strength until mid afternoon. By this time isothermal conditions can be expected up to treeline on solar facing slopes. The snowpack at treeline and above on Northerly facing slopes has a well settled mid-pack providing bridging strength above basal facets.
Avalanche Summary
Numerous wet loose avalanche size 1-2 are occurring from steep solar aspects from the valley bottom to 2,300m. Several slab avalanche up to size 2.5 have been observed from the alpine. These are mostly originating below steep rocky terrain. As the snowpack heats up larger events are possible by mid afternoon potentially running full path.
Confidence
Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain
rupert wedgwood,
Parks Canada
