Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 4th, 2014 4:29PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.

a.l. horton, Parks Canada

Jasper.

The avalanche hazard will rise with prolonged sun exposure or if precipitation falls as rain.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Cloudy conditions will prevail on Saturday with light flurries producing 5-10 cm of new snow.Â Light SW winds are forecast with treeline temperature hoovering around -5.Â Similar conditions are expected on Sunday with less snow.Â The avalanche hazard will rise on Monday with clear skies and double digit temperatures expected.

Snowpack Summary

Mod SW winds forming windslab along alpine ridge tops. A temperature crust can be found on most lower elevation slopes and a sun crust on southerly facing slopes into the alpine. At elevation and if buried by blown snow this will present some avalanche danger. At lower elevation, when intact, is provides stability & support.

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches reported today. A fridge sized chunk of cornice fell on an alpine East facing slope south of the Icefields failed to trigger anything.

Confidence

The weather pattern is stable on Saturday

Problems

Wind Slabs

Moderate SW winds in the Icefields are creating windslab conditions along alpine ridgelines cross-loaded features.

Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

Results from this layer were seen on March 31st during a earlier warming event after a prolonged cool period.

Be wary of slopes that did not previously avalanche

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Apr 5th, 2014 4:00PM