Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 21st, 2015 4:05PM

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

tim mcallister, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Heads up-we have entered Spring Conditions. Conditions can change dramatically throughout the day.Start EARLY and finish EARLY!

Summary

Weather Forecast

Clouds rolling in this evening bringing wet conditions and cooler temps over the next few days. Expect typical moist April conditions.

Snowpack Summary

Warm temps and high fzl have added load to upper snowpack. At treeline, lee aspects have a series of windslabs sandwiched with thin weaknesses in the upper snowpack. A strong midpack bridges over weak basal facets on Northerly aspects at treeline and above.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous loose wet avalanches to size 2.5 noted today at most elevations- some running on crusts and others scouring to ground. Cornice failures to size 2.5 have occurred around the Icefields area on North to East aspects. They did not initiate a slab on the slopes below.

Confidence

Problems

Loose Wet

As temperatures warm up so does the potential for loose wet avalanches. It may be enough to trigger deeper basal layers on steeper unsupported slopes.

Watch for terrain traps where small amounts of snow will acumulate into deep deposits.Start and finish early before the surface crusts melt.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Cornices

Cornices are large and can collapse anytime. Stay well back from the edge while traveling along ridge lines. Pay attention to what is above and avoid cornice exposed slopes.

Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.Do not travel on slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Apr 22nd, 2015 4:00PM