Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Apr 17 – 18, 2018Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 8 years ago

Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Winter continues, along with the associated great skiing and multitude of avalanche problems.  Don't let sunny skies and powder affect your decision making.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2
    New snow and moderate to strong SW winds building fresh windslabs.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5
    Large cornices in all areas of the bulletin region. When failing these can trigger persistent instabilities and the subsequent avalanches are proving large and destructive.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–3
    40-100+ cm thick slabs overlie preserved facetted crystals on N aspects, these have been reactive recently.

Weather Forecast

A shallow ridge of high pressure brings clearer weather while Arctic air to the north lingers until Wednesday, continuing to cool the local airmass.Moderate to strong SW winds Tuesday night will taper into Wednesday.  Alpine temps will be Low -9, High -4, with the freezing level reaching 1800m mid-day.

Snowpack Summary

New soft slabs and varied degrees of wind effect found in all open areas. The upper snowpack is very sensitive to changes in temps, solar, or precipitation of any kind. Persistent slab will continue be a reoccurring problem, especially where no previous activity has been noted.

Avalanche Summary

Visibility improved over the day and we observed evidence of a wide spread cycle capturing all sorts of problems! Deep wide slabs from steep, rocky terrain. Numerous point releases. Soft slab releases from new loaded and wind pressed features.

Confidence

Regions covered