Date issued

Apr 24, 2018 - 4:00 PM

Valid until

until further notice

Prepared by

jasper snow safety

Avalanche control is planned for Parker ridge area in late afternoon on Wednesday. Check Alberta 511.

Spring Season Conditions

Avalanche Problem 1: Loose Wet

What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?

The next few nights and days will be progressively warmer increasing the probability of loose wet avalanches. Start and end early plus be vigilant of overhead hazard as these avalanches have been gaining mass and running far.

Travel and Terrain Advice
  • If triggered the loose wet sluffs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
  • Use extra caution on solar slopes or if the snow is moist or wet.

Avalanche Problem 2: Persistent Slabs

What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?

Triggering this slab would have serious consequences. Cornice failures are acting as triggers.

Travel and Terrain Advice
  • If triggered the loose wet sluffs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
  • Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.

Avalanche Problem 3: Cornices

What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?

Rising temperatures are causing cornices to fall triggering slopes below. Give them a wide berth.

Travel and Terrain Advice
  • Avoid steep slopes below cornices.
  • Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could easily trigger persistent slabs.

Avalanche Summary

Tuesday observed a few loose wet avalanches below treeling up to the low alpine. Also a couple of fresh size 2-2.5's slabs were noted in the alpine. The mountains are waking up with the rising temperatures.

Snowpack Summary

Sun or temperature crusts extend to treeline and into the alpine on southerly slopes. Persistent slabs can be found on most aspects at treeline and above. These have been reactive to large triggers like cornice failures. Below 1,900m the snowpack is going isothermal on a daily basis.

Weather Forecast

This week will be sunny and very warm. Wednesday will be 2600m freezing level but then rise up to 3500m Thursday and Friday.

Danger Ratings Explained

1 - Low

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.

Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

2 - Moderate

Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible.

Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas.

3 - Considerable

Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making essential.

Natural avalanches possible; human-triggered avalanches likely.

Small avalanches in many areas; or large avalanches in specific areas; or very large avalanches in isolated areas.

4 - High

Very dangerous avalanche conditions. Travel in avalanche terrain not recommended.

Natural avalanches likely; human-triggered avalanches very likely.

Large avalanches in many areas; or very large avalanches in specific areas.

5 - Extreme

Avoid all avalanche terrain.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches certain.

Large to very large avalanches in many areas.

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