Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 15th, 2014–Apr 16th, 2014

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Jasper.

Some good snow can be found on sheltered northerly facing slopes near treeline. Watch for any signs of the snow melting with rain or solar radiation. At these times the danger will increase

Weather Forecast

Over the next 36hrs freezing levels are expected to remain below treeline. Snow flurries at upper elevations may produce up to 10cm with rain below. Solar radiation will be limited with mostly cloudy skies and light to moderate variable winds from the West and North. A warming trend will resume towards the weekend.

Snowpack Summary

A crust extends to treeline (TL) on all aspect and on sunny slopes to near 2300 m. The crust will maintain its strength until it is exposed to prolonged sun and warm temperatures. Wet to moist snow is present below the crust depending on elevation and aspect. Windslabs are found at and above TL slopes near ridges into the alpine. Cornices are large

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche observations over the past 24hrs on Tue with the cooling temperatures and overcast sky.

Confidence

Freezing levels are uncertain on Friday

Problems

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.