Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Jasper.
Unsettled and changing conditions forecasted up to, and through the holiday weekend.
Weather Forecast
Partly cloudy with few scattered flurries for Tuesday night and Wednesday. As we approach Easter weekend, a new cycle, ramping up Thursday afternoon will bring snow back into the region and push freezing levels down from their Wednesday peak. Generally unsettled, convective conditions forecasted.
Snowpack Summary
Widespread variability at the surface with up 20cm settled HN in the Icefields Area. New snow overlies previous surfaces such as hard windslab and variable crusts at TL/ALP elevations. The snow pack shows strength and good bonding in field tests but feels weak overall in the shallow regions like Whistlers/Portal creek and Maligne zones.
Avalanche Summary
Natural activity has tapered off. Loose dry and evidence of significant wind slab activity during, and immediately following the storm cycle on Sunday showed numerous releases, mostly West through SW aspects but, especially in steep alpine and high treeline features.
Confidence
Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Thursday
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Recently formed wind slabs can be found in all features near ridge crests, and cross-loaded gullies. Reverse loading seen recently from uncharacteristic North winds, mostly in the Icefields but evident throughout the bulletin region.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially in steep confined alpine terrain.
- Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Loose Dry
This new snow instability will cycle and heal over time but, for the near future be extra cautious in steep and restrictive terrain. Sluff management and diligent group handling necessary for these confined features.
- Be careful of loose dry power sluffing in steep, confined or exposed terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
When in the Whistlers/Portal and Maligne regions identify and assess the bond at this mid-pack layer. This interface shows strength in field tests but, there is concern for wide, spacial variability over large, and/or connected features.
- Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.
- If triggered the storm/wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3