Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Apr 12 – 13, 2019Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 7 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Use caution if venturing up high. New snow and wind could create pockets of windslab.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Fresh snow and moderate winds could create windslabs in the alpine and at treeline.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5
    Evidence from recent snowpack tests and whumphing would suggest that a weak layer of facets persists down 20-50cm in some areas, and may be becoming reactive with incremental loading from recent small snowfalls.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5
    Expect loose dry avalanches out of sheltered north alpine features.

Weather Forecast

10cm of snow is forecast at the Parker Ridge area starting Saturday morning and increasing in intensity overnight. Treeline will be windy with 20-40 km/h westerlys. Freezing level will be around 1900m with a high of -2C. Expect the same closer to Jasper except with less snow. Note that forecast snow amounts have been inaccurate over the past week

Snowpack Summary

Forecast winds and snow could create windslabs in the alpine. A supportive crust exists to 2,100m on all aspects and extends into the alpine on solar slopes. A winter snowpack remains on N aspects above treeline. At upper elevations a weak faceted layer down 20-50cm remains a concern. The snowpack sits on a weak base of facets and depth hoar.

Avalanche Summary

Signs of cornice failures up to size 2 have been reported and a large serac triggered avalanche was witnessed off the south side of Mt. Kitchner on Thursday. Large whumpfs on the ridge of Mt. Wilcox were also reported on Thursday.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

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