Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Apr 7 – 8, 2019Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 7 years ago

Avalanche danger

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

A winter snowpack still exists at upper elevations. Be diligent in your hazard management as you transition into the alpine.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Pockets of windslab continue to build in alpine lees. With moderate-strong SW winds Saturday night into Sunday, this problem may now extend down to treeline.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5
    Natural avalanche activity, whumphing and test results indicate that a weak layer of facets buried 50cm down is persisting in some areas. This is more prevalent at the Columbia Icefields & South.

Weather Forecast

A brief bout of stable weather on Monday, ahead of a Coastal low pushing a series of fronts inland. Snow/rainfall starting Monday night is forecast to bring 10-25mm by the end of the week. Monday: Mainly sunny with cloudy periods and isolated flurries. Treeline temps: Low -8 C, High -2 C. Ridge wind light west. Freezing level: 2100m.

Snowpack Summary

Recent small snowfalls are settling quickly, over a melt-freeze crust everywhere except N aspects above treeline. Small windslabs can be found on lee slopes (alpine and treeline). It's still a winter snowpack on high North aspects, with facets in isolated areas giving sudden test results down 50cm, and whumphing in the South of the region.

Avalanche Summary

On Friday, a recent Large (Size 2.5), natural Persistent Slab was noted on a steep NE facing alpine slope in the Icefields area. Previous persistent slab activity was noted on N & NE aspects above 2700m on Mt Wilson.

Confidence

Regions covered