Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Apr 15 – 16, 2019Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 7 years ago

Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2
    On going convective snow flurries will produce sufficient snow to create isolated pockets of windslab. Significant snow events forecasted for late Thursday and Friday will reactivate these formations and create new storm slabs.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2
    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 or forecasted snow in the week ahead.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5
    These small events have been noted from steep alpine terrain where climbers may frequent.

Confidence

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

Weather Forecast

A cool and unstable air mass over the region giving isolated flurries in the alpine for the start of the week. Freezing levels rise towards the end of the week. On Tue a mix of sun and cloud with alp highs of -3C and freezing levels close to 2000m. A system starts to move in on Wed with increasing gusting winds from the SW then snow on Thursday.

Snowpack Summary

Above treeline 10cm of loose snow sits on a variety of crusts. Above 2200m, on Northerly facing slopes, a more winter like snowpack can be found. However, at and below 2200 melt-freeze crust dominate the upper snowpack. In the alpine a weak layer down 20-50cm is of concern. Mid and lower snowpack is faceted, and weak in shallow areas.

Avalanche Summary

Recent observation confirm only small loose dry releases from steep and rocky north facing terrain and gully features. Whumphing has been noted from shallower snowpack areas and moraine features indicating unstable snow below.

Regions covered