Avalanche Forecast
Avalanche Bulletin - Jasper National Park
Solar triggered avalanches and cornice failures are likely to increase in frequency the next few days as each day will be warmer than the previous days.
Avalanche Problem 1: Loose Wet
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Avoid terrain traps, such as gullies, where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.
- Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
Avalanche Problem 2: Persistent Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Triggering this slab have been most reactive to large triggers such as a cornice failures.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.
- Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could trigger slabs.
Avalanche Problem 3: Wind Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
SW winds Saturday have added to the existing wind slab and cornice problem. Although mostly thin, some wind slabs are up to 40cm thick in alpine terrain. Once initiated the potential to trigger deeper weaknesses exists resulting in larger avalanches.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
- Stay well to the windward side of corniced ridges.
Avalanche Summary
Sunday there was a report of a size 2 slab avalanche on the NE slopes of Lectern, initiating in the alpine and running in to treeline. Also a couple of size 2-3 moist loose avalanches observed in the Icefield's area starting in steep solar affected alpine gullies and running far.
Snowpack Summary
Windslabs are up to 40cm deep. Sun or temperature crusts extend to treeline and continued into the alpine on southerly slopes. Persistent slabs can be found on most aspects at treeline and above. These have been most reactive to large triggers like cornice failures. Below 1,900m the snowpack is going isothermal on a daily basis.
Weather Forecast
Monday will be sun and cloud, no new snow, high of 0 C, light SW winds, and 2300m freezing level. Tuesday will be similar, but with 2500m freezing level. Wednesday will be similar but much warmer with 3500m freezing level.
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Pay close attention to the effect of solar radiation and daytime warming. Point release from rocks and cliff terrain can trigger isothermal snow below. This will be of most concern in the late afternoon.