Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Apr 17 – 18, 2017Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 9 years ago

Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Possibility of rain at lower elevations will increase the avalanche hazard below tree line.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    SW winds has reactive alpine windslab on lee slopes just above tree-line. If triggered, these could step down to the deep persistent slab resulting in large avalanches.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–3
    There are some very large cornices out there, give them a wide berth. Cornice failure is hard to predict but is more likely with inputs like solar radiation, high freezing levels and wind-loading.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–4
    The deep instability could be triggered by large loads such as a cornice failure or a surface avalanche. Human triggering is most likely from shallow spots or on steep unsupported slopes.

Weather Forecast

Cloudy with 5-10cm of snow by Wednesday morning. Freezing level rising to 2000m with an alpine high of -3 and light southwest winds.

Snowpack Summary

Windslab building on lee alpine ridge lines. Melt freeze crust up to 2000m. Dryer surface snow on northerly aspects over a solid mid-pack bridging the weak base above 2000m. The bottom of the snowpack consists of weak facets and depth hoar mixed around the Nov rain crust.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed or reported.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Tuesday

Regions covered