Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Apr 6 – 7, 2014Parks Canada
View on map
Archived · expired 12 years ago

Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
Open full map

Highlights

Monitor the degree of overnight freezing and severity of daytime heating. A significantly long period of warm temperatures in combination with solar energy can increase the potential for human and natural avalanches particularly on South aspects.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    Windslabs have developed along ridgelines and crossloaded features. Their thickness and interface is variable depending on aspect, elevation, and localized weather influences. It may be present on S aspects over slippery sun crust. Evaluate for this.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    Weak basal facets should be on your radar. It is difficult to predict and would have severe consequences if triggered. Allot of spatial variability exists. Field team reports large tree shaking whumph Sunday, in the trees, E aspect, at 1800m. 

Weather Forecast

Monday will be some clouds, moderate SW ridgetop winds, and warmer. Freezing levels will be 2000m and slightly higher at Marmot and Maligne. Temperatures should remain in the single plus digits unless the sun is present. Next few days will be cloudy, light dusting of snow with hopefully 10cm Tuesday evening. Temperatures cooling trend Wednesday. 

Snowpack Summary

SW winds forming windslab along alpine ridge tops. A temperature crust is found on lower elevation slopes and southerly slopes into the alpine. Windslab developing on this slippery surface should be assessed. Weak basal facets appears to be bridged, requires a large trigger, or a tickle in just the right spot, and would be a large avalanche.

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches reported today. Size 2.5 to ground noted yesterday in Icefields area.

Confidence

Freezing levels are uncertain on Monday

Regions covered