Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 18th, 2015 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Loose Wet, Cornices and Wind Slabs.

garth lemke, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Danger will start low in the morning and steadily increase with daytime warming. Temperatures are expected to spike significantly on Tuesday.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Sunday into next week will be sunny and warm. Expect freezing levels to rise significantly next few days with less recovery every night.

Snowpack Summary

Strong Southwesterly winds have created pockets of windslab and scoured any exposed areas at upper elevations. Weak basal facets are bridged by a strong mid-pack in most areas at treeline and above.

Avalanche Summary

Natural cornice failures continue and many more are waiting their turn to fall. Intense solar radiation likely to initiate afternoon wet loose avalanche conditions.

Confidence

Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

Problems

Loose Wet

As temperatures warm up so does the potential for loose wet avalanches. It may be enough to trigger deeper basal layers increasing the consequences.

Start and finish early before the surface crusts melt.Watch for terrain traps where small amounts of snow will acumulate into deep deposits.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Cornices

Natural cornice failures are being observed daily. Pay attention to what is above you and avoid cornice exposed slopes.

Extra caution needed around cornices with current conditions.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs have formed on lee slopes and cross loaded features at alpine and exposed tree line elevations.

Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.Avoid cross loaded slopes at or above treeline.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 19th, 2015 4:00PM