Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Apr 6 – 7, 2017Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

Warm temperatures, rain below 2200m, and snow at higher elevations may  incrementally push the problems closer to the tipping point. Thursday night's warm temperatures, with no freeze, may accelerate the potential for natural activity. 

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3
    Cornice failure is hard to predict but is more likely with inputs like solar radiation, warm temperatures, and wind-loading. Some very large cornices out there so give them a wide berth.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Friday will be warm and 7-10mm of rain below 2200m. This has potential to initiate the loose wet avalanche problem especially around steep and rocky areas. Caution is warranted for ice climbers in gully terrain.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–4
    This problem will persist. It can be triggered by large loads such as cornice failures. Triggering is most likely from shallow spots or on steep unsupported slopes. Friday's warm temperatures and snow may be pushing it closer to the tipping point.

Weather Forecast

For the Icefields, Thursday night will have little overnight freeze and 7mm of precipitation. Friday's freezing level will be 2200m or higher, 7-10mm of rain in valley bottom and 10-15cm of snow in higher elevations by late Friday afternoon. Timing of this is uncertain. Temperatures will cool Saturday to Sunday -3 to -9 degrees Celsius.

Snowpack Summary

Good skiing between 1900-2400m in sheltered areas. Approximately 10-15cm of snow sits on a generally solid mid-pack. The mid-pack is bridging a weak base. The lower snowpack is a combination of weak facets and depth hoar mixed around a Nov rain crust. Below tree line a supportive 20cm melt freeze crust sits above a weak facet layer to ground.

Avalanche Summary

No Patrol or public reports on Thursday. Wednesday's helicopter flight from Jasper to Sunwapta Resort to Maligne lake reported no new avalanches noted and visibility was good. Tuesday's patrol at Bald Hills also did not note any new avalanches. Despite natural activity subsiding forecasters have low confidence in the deep basal weakness.

Confidence

Freezing levels are uncertain on Friday

Regions covered