Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 30th, 2014 4:57PM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is high, and the below treeline rating is high. Known problems include Wet Slabs, Loose Wet and Cornices.

Parks Canada a.l. horton, Parks Canada

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Jasper.

A spring avalanche cycle continues on Thursday as warm conditions destabilizes the snowpack.  Stay out of avalanche terrain until conditions improve.  The Maligne Road is closed until Friday Morning.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Warm temperatures continue overnight with the freezing level around 2200 m.  Another warm day on Thursday, clouding over by late afternoon with a good chance of rain showers Thursday evening.  A cooling trend begins on Friday along with periods of snow with alpine accumulations of up to 10 cm.  Snowy cool conditions continue through the weekend.

Snowpack Summary

Freezing level to 3500 m with little overnight recovery of the melt freeze crust.  A widespread natural avalanche cycle will continue through Thursday.  Full depth avalanches are occurring on steep southerly aspects.

Avalanche Summary

A significant avalanche cycle is occurring at all elevations.  Most observations have been on southerly aspects but expect to see all aspects begin to perform on Thursday as freezing levels are to remain high and similar warm and sunny conditions are expected.

Confidence

Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain on Thursday

Problems

Wet Slabs

An icon showing Wet Slabs
Wet slab avalanches are expected to continue on Thursday.
Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to weak layers at the base of the snowpack.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Very Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet
Loose wet avalanches can be expected on sunny south facing aspects as temperatures rise during the day.
Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Cornices

An icon showing Cornices
Warm temperatures will weaken the large cornices that are out there.  Cornices will likely begin to fall Thursday afternoon.
Cornices become weak with daytime heating. Do not travel on slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: May 1st, 2014 4:00PM

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