Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Apr 12 – 13, 2023Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

If stepping out into more serious terrain, do so with caution and backed-up with evidence. Watch-out for solar radiation affecting the new snow if the sun comes out.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    The winds have been light the last few days. Watch out for isolated wind slab from convective flurries.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Stronger overnight freezes may keep this problem in check until mid to late afternoons. Watch out if the sun comes out. Wet loose avalanches will likely step-down to our basal facets in steep terrain resulting in large avalanches

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3.5

    The bottom of the snowpack is inherently weak with well-developed Facets and Depth Hoar.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A road patrol on Wednesday down the Icefields Parkway saw several large avalanches up to size 3 in the alpine. These are likely from Sunday or Monday. Explosive control along Maligne Lake road produced one size 2 running onto the road. This avalanche stepped down to ground.

Don't forget to post avalanche observations to the MIN.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 20cm precipitation since Sunday sits on a melt freeze/solar crust. Snow in the alpine was accompanied by strong southwest winds creating new wind slabs in lee features. Snowpack below 1800m is in a daily melt-freeze cycle. The mid pack above this elevation consists of multiple layers of sun crusts or facets. Depth hoar and basal facets make up the base of the snowpack.

Weather Summary

Thursday

A mix of sun and cloud.

Precipitation: Nil.

Alpine temperature: High -5 °C.

Ridge wind light to 15 km/h.

Freezing level: 1700 metres.

Friday

A mix of sun and cloud.

Precipitation: Nil.

Alpine temperature: Low -12 °C, High -5 °C.

Ridge wind southwest: 10-30 km/h.

Freezing level: 1600 metres.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
  • Remember that the snowpack will be significantly different at higher elevations than lower down.

Regions covered