Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Mar 31 – Apr 1, 2016Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 11 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
4 · High
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Highlights

Avalanche control is planned for the Columbia Icefields area  on  Friday afternoon during which time the Parkway will be closed it that area. Maligne Lake  road is closed due to avalanche danger.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Increase occurrence of cornice failures are being noted. It can act as a large trigger initiating deep weaknesses plus their sheer mass, whether or not it initiates an avalanche, would be like being hit by a car.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–3
    This problem will increase with forecasted warm temps and intense solar radiation. The danger rating will rapidly increase particularly on thin snowpack zones and sun facing slopes. Loose avalanches can initiate larger avalanches below.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–3
    This problem is becoming more active. When triggered, it will be big with serious consequences. Warm and sunny conditions will increase this danger. Steep sun facing rocks, cornice failures, and loose avalanches from above are on going.

Weather Forecast

Winds will remain  north westerly and freezing levels are expected to reach 2,800m on Friday with the potentially of double digit temperatures close to treeline. Expect sun. Overnight recovery will be minimal. Winds will switch more westerly into the weekend and temperatures will cool slightly bring the freezing down to near 2000m as it does.

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack is heating up and rapidly approaching isothermal conditions at and below treeline. Higher in the alpine and on northerly aspects  more winter like conditions prevail. Cornices are large and of particular concern for their ability to trigger large avalanches along mid pack weakness. Freezing will not occur tonight.

Avalanche Summary

The solar radiation is energizing the snowpack and numerous avalanche have been reported today from all elevations. Both loose moist avalanches and dry slab avalanches have occurred up to size 2. Point release events from steep rocky alpine terrain are able to trigger deeper instabilities creating much larger avalanches that can scrub to ground.

Confidence

Regions covered