Avalanche Forecast

Issued: May 1st, 2013 4:00PM

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

a.l. horton, Parks Canada

Jasper.

If temperatures rise higher than predicted on Thursday, the avalanche danger will increase on all aspects and elevations. Powder conditions still exist on northerly aspects but not for long!

Summary

Weather Forecast

Day time temperatures will progressively rise to the mid-twenties by Sunday.Â Overnight temperatures will break the freezing mark by Saturday.Â Winds will ease and the sun will shine.Â Finally!!

Snowpack Summary

40cm of snow has fallen in the Icefields area since Saturday. This has formed pockets of windslab at and above treeline. Bonding of this slab on Southerly slopes should be considered suspect. Below the new snow a thick melt freeze crust layers cap isothermal snow below. Sun crusts extend high into the alpine on South facing slopes.

Avalanche Summary

No reports of avalanches today.

Confidence

The weather pattern is stable on Thursday

Problems

Storm Slabs

40cm of storm snow has fallen since Saturday. West and NW winds have moved this snow onto lee aspects. South facing aspects are particularly likely trigger areas where the bonding of the new snow to the old melt freeze crust is weakest.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.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: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Loose Dry

The recent storm snow will be sluffing off steep terrain as point release avalanches. Alpine and ice climbers should keep this in mind.

Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Cornices

Large cornices are looming. On failure, deep releases may run far into the valley bottom.

Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices.Cornices become weak with daytime heating.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: May 2nd, 2013 4:00PM