Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Apr 17 – 18, 2014Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 12 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Rain events will increase the avalanche danger. On Saturday avalanche control and road closures between Parker Ridge and the Weeping Wall will occur from 4:00-8:00 PM. The Maligne Lake road may also be closed on Saturday.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2
    The snowpack is warming up and the restraining crusts are weakening with the warm weather. Point releases from steep rocks at all elevations are a concern as they can trigger both dry and wet snow avalanches. Rain will increase the activity.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3
    These events will be of greatest concern with warm temperatures and rain. They may be triggered by smaller surface avalanches such as point releases from steep rocks or cornice failures.

Weather Forecast

Warm overnight temps and cloudy skies will prevent the snowpack freezing solid overnight. Temperatures will remain warm on Friday with the freezing level reaching 2,000m.  Up to 15mm of rain may arrive in the afternoon with snow at higher elevations. We expect amounts to vary across the range with convective activity.

Snowpack Summary

10-15cm of new snow is sitting on crusts which extend to treeline (TL) on most aspect and higher on sun facing slopes. Beneath the crusts moist snow extends to close to TL where the snowpack depth is 130-180cm. The midpack is well bonded and warm. The base of the snowpack is weak.  Loose snow plasters the steep rock faces. Cornices are large.

Avalanche Summary

On the 17th avalanche activity was noted in the Icefields area. Several deep slab avalanche to size 2.5 from the alpine ran close to the valley bottom. These seem to have been triggered by sluffing from rocky terrain above. Below treeline and in the valley bottom there were several size 1-2 moist point release avalanches which scrubbed to ground.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Regions covered