Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Apr 16 – 17, 2016Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 10 years ago

Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
No rating
Treeline
No rating
Below
No rating
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Highlights

Freezing levels to 4000m, warm nights and sunny skies will provide prime conditions for an isothermal snowpack and potential for large avalanches. Patience will be required for springtime ski objectives. Avoid avalanche terrain until conditions cool.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Extended periods of time with above 0 temperatures will weaken cornices. Be aware that even if you are in the shade on a N aspect the tops of the cornices will still be getting sun affected above you.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Warm overnight temperatures and freezing levels up to 4000m will create a widespread avalanche cycle until temperatures cool.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    3–4
    We have seen all aspects but north run big and far. With even warmer temperatures forecast, we can expect the high elevation N aspects to respond.

Weather Forecast

Unusually warm temperatures for this time of year and freezing levels up to 4000m will continue for several days into the week. Don't expect much overnight recovery in the snowpack. The sun will dominate for the foreseeable future.

Snowpack Summary

Temperatures will start warming Sunday and freezing levels are expected to climb to 4000m. Several hot days with little to no overnight recovery are expected. This will create isothermal conditions on all but high elevation N aspects.

Avalanche Summary

Expecting a significant avalanche cycle with loose snow avalanches, cornices being triggered and potential for the deep persistent slab layers on N aspects to run big and far.

Confidence

Regions covered