Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Apr 28 – 29, 2013Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

The stormy weather will continue on Monday.  The avalanche danger will be highest on windloaded alpine slopes.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    2–3
    Plenty of fresh snow and strong Westerly winds will continue to build cornices and increase the likelihood of cornice failure. Deep releases from a wet snowpack may run far into the valley bottom.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    1–3
    25 cm of storm snow has fallen with another 15-20 expected.  Strong Westerly winds have moved this snow onto lee aspects and suspect that thick slabs have developed on the old melt freeze crust.  Bonding of these slabs to the crust is uncertain.

Weather Forecast

Another low will move through Sunday night bring more snow and moderate to strong Westerlies, leaving  cool unstable air  in its wake.  A slow warming trend is expected to begin by mid-week, could it finally be spring?

Snowpack Summary

25-30 cm of moist storm snow is sitting on an isothermal snowpack at treeline.  Storm slabs 30-50 cm thick are on sitting on the April 25th melt freeze crust in the alpine.  Isothermal conditions below treeline that may have a weak melt freeze crust develop overnight.

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches observed on a patrol from Jasper to Saskatchewan Crossing with fair visibility

Confidence

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

Regions covered