Archived

Avalanche Forecast

May 1st, 2019–May 2nd, 2019

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Jasper.

Winter still exists in Jasper! Good skiing can be found in the right locations.

Weather Forecast

Cold and snowy for the next few days, Wednesday night around 10cm with light westerly winds with alpine temps around -4. Thursday flurries with an alpine high of -2 with around 5-10cm of accumulation with freezing levels up to 2100m. Friday flurries with alpine temps -5 moderate winds with strong gusts from the west with freezing levels at 1800m.

Snowpack Summary

5-15cm new low density snow overlies previous slabs built from N winds that may still be reactive in isolated alpine terrain where a crust is present. Buried facet layers remain a concern with small whumpfs and variable test results. Most concern is on protected northerly alpine features or where they sit on buried crusts.

Avalanche Summary

A team in the Columbia Icefields on wednesday did not observe any new avalanches. To the South of our region (Bow Summit), 2 large (size 2 - 2.5) persistent slabs were remotely triggered on alpine SW aspects Tuesday. On Sunday, 1 Large (size 2.5) Persistent slab was observed in the Maligne Range on an East aspect, in convex alpine terrain.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Friday

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

The two main concerns for persistent slabs are: Recent slabs from northerly winds. Especially steep solar terrain where a prominent sun crust would be. Next the concern for a midpack facet weakness in sheltered upper treeline and alpine features.

Watch for signs of instability such as recent avalanche activity, and whumpfing/cracking underfoot.
Carefully evaluate big terrain features by digging and testing on adjacent, safe slopes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3