Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Apr 11 – 12, 2021
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Archived · expired 5 years ago

Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low

Highlights

The Icefields region remains winter conditions for now. Good travel and ski conditions are found in sheltered locations. Be cognisant of traveling through lower elevations where large avalanches from above could travel far.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2.5

    There is a lot of snow available for wind transport. Investigate whether this condition rests on a slippery temperature crust having a higher potential for human triggering.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–1.5

    Suspect to be more of an issue in Marmot Basin back country, where snow accumulation has been most significant in the last couple days. Dry loose are less likely to be an issue in the Icefields area.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

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

    Forecasters are noting a slight increase in activity in the past few days. One could say the probability is increasing with either natural or human triggering. Shallow snowpack areas would have the increased potential for human triggering.

Weather Forecast

Monday: Cloudy with sunny periods. Precipitation: Nil. Alpine temperature: High -7 °C. Ridge wind east: 10-20 km/h. Freezing level: 1400 metres.Tuesday: Sunny with cloudy periods. Precipitation: Nil. Alpine temperature: Low -12 °C, High -2 °C. Ridge wind light to 20 km/h. Freezing level: 2100 metres.

Snowpack Summary

20-30 cm of new snow arrived since Wednesday night at Parkers ridge with much less further North and South. The midpack is firm snow over weak basal facets and depth hoar near the ground.

Avalanche Summary

Saturday's Icefield patrol observed several cross loaded features avalanche on ALP W facing slopes up to size 2.5 likely from Friday. Friday's explosive control work on Parkers slabs produced two size 2.5 hard windslabs burying the road 2m deep. Deep persistent slabs up to size 3 still occurring within the bulletin region in the alpine.

Confidence

Freezing levels are uncertain on Wednesday

Regions covered