Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Apr 14 – 15, 2013Parks Canada

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Archived · expired 13 years ago

Avalanche danger

Tue

Wed

Alpine

2 · Moderate

Treeline

1 · Low

Below

1 · Low

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Highlights

Observations and cool temperatures are supporting a relatively stable snowpack but evaluate each slope as local variations exist.

Avalanche problems

Wind Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline
Likelihood
Unlikely - Possible
Size
1–3
Winds continue forming windslabs on lee aspects below ridgecrests. These slabs sit on previous crusts. Suspect it remains possible for a skier to initiate this slab where it bonds poorly to the underlying crust. N winds reverse loading pockets.
Cornices
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline
Likelihood
Unlikely - Possible
Size
1–3
Cornices are large being a hazard by their sheer mass. They can also trigger deeper layers if failure occurs. Several cornice failures were observed last week. Some initiated storm slabs and a few deeper releases.

Weather Forecast

Weather will be stable the next few days. Monday into Tuesday evening will be scattered flurries, minimal snow, light N and E winds, cool nighttime and daytime temperatures, and afternoon freezing level rising to 1100m. Wind direction will shift W Tuesday night with no significant weather change indicated other than a gradual temperature increase.

Snowpack Summary

Windslabs exist on the lee aspects of exposed ridgecrests above treeline with a dusting of snow overtop. Buried temperature crusts exist below 2100m and sun crusts on steep solar aspects at various elevations. Cornices are big and looming. Gusting 105km/hr N winds last night reverse loaded pockets with the limited snow available.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported. Several cornice failures occurred last week. A few triggered deep persistent slabs with crowns up to 1m and some initiated wind slabs with a depth of 10-40cm.

Confidence

Wind speed and direction is uncertain

Regions covered

Jasper