Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Apr 13 – 14, 2018Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 8 years ago

Avalanche danger

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

Good skiing can be found close to treeline on sheltered north facing terrain as winter conditions persist. Evaluate specific terrain features before committing. Human triggered avalanches are possible.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Previous wind effect will be difficult to assess under new snow. Expect hardslabs in the alpine and at treeline. The cold has reduced the tension in these but caution is still warranted, especially as new snow arrives over the next few days.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1.5–3
    Cornice failure noted in Shangrila on Friday releasing a size 2.5 slab below.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–3
    A slab up to 80cm thick overlies: weak faceted crystals (well developed in shallow areas), surface hoar (at, and just above treeline), and sun crusts ( on steep S and W aspects). Faceting has reduced slab strength below treeline and in shallow areas.

Weather Forecast

Friday into Saturday may bring 8-12cm. Saturday will be cloudy and flurries, trace of snow, high -5, and SW 20km/hr gusting 60 winds, with 1700m freezing level. Sunday will bring flurries, 11cm of snow, low -5 and high -1 C, light SW winds, and 2100m freezing level. Monday will be flurries, 8cm of snow, low -10 and high -2 C.

Snowpack Summary

Wind slabs and wind effect is found in open areas treeline and above. The upper snowpack is a variable 25 to 80 cm thick slab that sits on weak FC crust layers in the mid-pack. Depth hoar persists near the ground.

Avalanche Summary

No patrol Friday. A cornice triggered a size 2.5 slab in Shangrila area today. Skiers released a cornice to test Ullr / terminator chute #5 Wednesday and released a healthy size 2 avalanche on Wednesday. See the MIN report. This is a steep N facing chute dropping into Whistler creek drainage from the backside of Marmot basin.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Saturday

Regions covered