Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Apr 15 – 16, 2013Parks Canada
View on map
Archived · expired 13 years ago

Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
Open full map

Highlights

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–3
    Windslabs can be found on lee aspects in exposed terrain around ridgecrests. Where these slabs sit on previous crusts, the likelihood of a skier triggered avalanche increases.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–3
    Cornices are large and are 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

Below seasonal temperatures and minimal precipitation for the next 3 days.  Freezing levels remaining low, with winds primarily from the East in the light to moderate range.

Snowpack Summary

Windslabs exist on 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 heavy. Some reverse loading of exposed terrain due to moderate North winds in the past few days.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported in the entire jurisdiction. Several cornice failures occurred last week. A few cornice falls did trigger deep persistent slabs with crowns up to 1m and some initiated wind slabs with a depth of 10-40cm. Observations are supporting a relatively stable snowpack but evaluate each slope as local variations exist. 

Confidence

Regions covered