Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Apr 12, 2014Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 12 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Avalanche control on the Icefields Parkway is possible this Monday as warm temperatures and sunny skies will destabilize the snowpack treeline and below.....stay tuned!

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Gusty moderate SW winds continue to form slabs dating from early April. Sheltered snow does exist at treeline and below.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2
    A melt freeze crust will form overnight however it will  deteriorate rapidly with prolonged solar exposure.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    2–3
    Most observed avalanches in the past week have stepped down to this layer. Triggers include: wind loading, cornice fall and solar exposure. Most commonly triggered from shallow areas or near rock outcrops.

Weather Forecast

Cool temps overnight will continue through the day Saturday.  Snow flurries will begin tonight but skies will clear by tomorrow afternoon.  Another cold night expected Saturday then the sun will come out and temperatures will rebound on Sunday and Monday.

Snowpack Summary

At treeline (TL) and below, warming temperatures have destabilized the snowpack with moist snow in the upper pack. Surface crusts will form overnight when temps drop. Solar facing slopes close to TL may have buried crusts with slab snow above. Deeply buried weaknesses near ground are a concern as are windslabs at and above TL.

Avalanche Summary

A couple of slab avalanches to size 2.5 treeline to alpine have occurred in the past 48 hrs.  A large alpine cornice failure on an E aspect slope had limited propagation.  Afternoon warming and solar radiation has produced point and wet slab releases from below treeline.

Confidence

Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain on Saturday

Regions covered