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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 7th, 2021–Apr 8th, 2021

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Jasper.

Low elevations (below 1800m) have transitioned to spring conditions, plan to travel early.

The Icefields region remains wintery and good travel and riding can be found, mostly in sheltered areas.

Weather Forecast

Wednesday night: Flurries. HN: 6 cm. Alpine temperature: Low -11 °C. Ridge wind W: 15 km/h gusting to 50 km/h.

Thursday: Cloudy with sunny periods. Alpine temperature: High -9 °C. Ridge wind W: 15-30 km/h. 

Friday: Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries. HN: 4 cm. Low -12 °C, High -8 °C. Ridge wind SW: 20 km/h gusting to 50 km/h.

Snowpack Summary

New snow and steady SW winds building wind slab in open ALP and TL features. Snowpack shows strength and bonding in field tests; recurring instabilities are found close to surface. We are most concerned about potential to trigger deeper, persistent slabs (Fc, DH), especially as the snowpack changes with typical spring inputs (rain, sun, wet snow)

Avalanche Summary

A road patrol south today noted no new avalanches. Mostly obscured in the Alpine.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.