Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Apr 2 – 3, 2013Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 13 years ago

Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Start early and be off all avalanche slopes by mid afternoon. Afternoon closures along the Maligne Lake road are possible over the next few days.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–3
    These heavy and unstable features can fall unexpectedly triggering deep large avalanches. These are commonly, but not exclusively,  found above east facing slopes at ridge top elevations.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Cooling temperatures over the next 3 days will reduce magnitude, frequency and distribution of of these events. Pay close attention to the increasing air temperature and met freeze crust thickness. Once gone you should head for safe slopes.

  • Wet Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3
    These events have been observed up to 2600m on south facing slopes. Cooler temps over the next few days will reduce the magnitude and distribution. Like loose wet avalanches these events are most likely in the afternoon when the sun is out.

Weather Forecast

Cooling temperatures with no significant precipitation during the next 24 hours. Winds will be westerly in the light to moderate range. There will be sunny breaks during the day on Wednesday.

Snowpack Summary

Below Treeline  a 15cm melt-freeze crust sits above wet and unconsolidated snow and provides stability. This condition demission with elevation and on slopes which are not South facing. By mid afternoon, or earlier on very hot days, this crust has melted and the avalanche danger is elevated considerably. The base of the snowpack is weak.

Avalanche Summary

Avalanche activity will be at its greatest by mid afternoon. During the morning a strong crust sits on the snowpack and prevents natural avalanches. As the crust melts the danger increases. At that time avalanches up to size 2 can be expected. Falling cornices can trigger full snowpack slabs of size 3 from the alpine. Cool temps reduce the danger.

Confidence

Freezing levels are uncertain on Wednesday

Regions covered