Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Apr 19 – 20, 2013Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 13 years ago

Avalanche danger

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

Daytime warming will increase the probability of cornice failures and avalanches. Ski quality is good with dust on crust. Low elevation crust remained intact again today.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–3
    Isolated pockets of windslab can be found on lee aspects in exposed alpine terrain near ridgecrests. The likelihood of triggering avalanches increases when the day heats up or the sun comes out. Test the bond to the underlying crust.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–3
    Cornices are large and a hazard by their sheer mass. They have the potential to trigger deeper layers if they fail big.   

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    If the sun comes out or the day is exceptionally warm, expect increased frequency of loose wet slides to occur particularly on steep solar aspects.

Weather Forecast

Saturday will be scattered flurries, light rain at low elevations, and -9 to -2. Sunday will be cloudy periods. Expect temperatures to spike when the sun comes out. Monday will be sunny and spring conditions followed by scattered flurries on Tuesday. It will be spring conditions the rest of the week.

Snowpack Summary

Isolated windslabs on lee aspects at high elevation ridgecrests with a dusting of snow overtop. Buried temperature crusts below 2100m and sun crusts on steep solar aspects at various elevations. Cornices are big. Overall the snowpack is solid underfoot. Temperature crust maintaining last few days through the afternoon with cooler temperatures.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed today. Visibility was good. Generally the area is in a stable trend but investigate each slope individually for isolated windslabs before committing.

Confidence

Regions covered