Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Apr 9 – 10, 2019Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 7 years ago

Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Several parties have been surprised by dramatic whumphs on north facing fans below large terrain features recently. Evaluate the snowpack carefully before committing to any big lines.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–1.5
    Pockets of windslab in immediate lees will be buried by incoming new snow, making them more difficult to manage.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5
    Evidence from recent snowpack tests and whumphing would suggest that a weak layer of facets persists down 20-50cm in some areas, and may be becoming reactive with incremental loading from recent small snowfalls.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Snowpack Summary

Incoming new snow will be covering a strong surface crust on all aspects below treeline, and in to the alpine on solar aspects. A winter snowpack remains on N aspects treeline and above, with small pockets of windslab in lees, facets under an 20-50cm slab in isolated areas, and a weak base of facets and depth hoar in shallow snowpack areas.

Weather Forecast

Unsettled air pushed inland from a low pressure systems hitting the north coast will give several waves of snow flurries, with up to 15cm of accumulation by the end of the week. Wednesday: Cloudy with sunny periods. Afternoon flurries (up to 5cm). Treeline temps: Low -8 C. High -2 C. Ridge wind light SW. Freezing level: 2100m.

Avalanche Summary

No new activity has been observed or reported.

Regions covered