Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Apr 25 – 26, 2014Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 12 years ago

Avalanche danger

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

Touchy windslabs will form on the suncrust on South and West aspects.  Good powder skiing can be found on North aspects at treeline and above.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2
    The incoming storm looks to be up-slope so slabs will be forming the suncrust on South and West aspects on Saturday.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    This condition is dependant upon prolonged exposure to direct sun. Monitor this and its effect on the crust. Move off slopes if crust begins to break down.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–3
    Large triggers such as cornice failures have the potential to initiate deep avalanches. These could be could be a wet or dry slab characteristic depending on aspect.

Weather Forecast

An up-slope storm is still being forecasted with the majority of snow to fall Friday night with E winds. Crust recovery is expected at all elevations.  There will be a mix of rain and snow showers through Saturday. Cloudy conditions on Sunday with moderate winds shifting to the SW. Temps will jump up to the 20's by mid-week.

Snowpack Summary

A rain crust from the valley bottom to 2,350m and a sun crust into Alpine on solar aspects. Wind slabs on NE aspects from 2,000 m to the alpine. Moist and wet snow exists below the crust extending into the alpine on solar aspects. The mid-pack is solid on North aspects. Large cornices.

Avalanche Summary

No new activity observed in the Icefields today. On April 23rd, avalanche control produced size 1-2 soft slabs at 2200m sliding on a rain crust and cornice failures produced size 3's on steep un-skiable terrain (Cromwell and Boundary peak).

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Saturday

Regions covered