Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Apr 16 – 17, 2017Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 9 years ago

Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Weather forecasts have been steadily changing so best to plan your day based on the weather you see.  Expect the hazard to rise with prolonged periods of sun or warm temperatures.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    SW winds has reactive alpine windslab on lee slopes just above tree-line. If triggered, these could step down to the deep persistent slab resulting in very large avalanches.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3
    Rapid warming or intense solar will increase the likelihood of cornice failure.  Cornices are becoming weak.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–4
    The deep instability could be triggered by large loads such as a cornice failure or a surface avalanche. Human triggering is most likely from shallow spots or on steep unsupported slopes.

Weather Forecast

Cloudy and light flurries Monday and Tuesday with light SW winds and freezing level rising to 2000 m by mid-day.

Snowpack Summary

Windslab on open slopes above 2400m. Dryer surface snow on polar aspects over a solid mid-pack bridging the weak base above 2000m. The base is a combination of weak facets and depth hoar mixed around a Nov rain crust. A consistent melt-freeze cycle is occurring below tree line depending on air temp and solar input.

Avalanche Summary

Several large windslab avalanches around 2400 m on x-loaded gulley features and steep lee slopes observed south of Icefields on Friday. Nothing new reported or observed on Sunday.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Monday

Regions covered