Parks Canada - Avalanche Bulletin - Jasper National Park

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[ME]

Issued Sun May 05, 2013 17:00

Valid Until further notice

Spring conditions exist. Warm temperatures, poor overnight freezing and intense solar radiation will combine to produce avalanche activity on hot afternoons. Avoid overhead cornice hazards and finish your trip early in the day.

Danger Ratings: Monday

alpine treeline below treeline alpine: N/A - No Rating, treeline: N/A - No Rating, below treeline: N/A - No Rating

N/A - No Rating N/A

N/A

N/A - No Rating N/A

N/A

N/A - No Rating N/A

N/A

Forecast	Tuesday	Wednesday
alpine	N/A - No Rating	N/A - No Rating
treeline	N/A - No Rating	N/A - No Rating
below treeline	N/A - No Rating	N/A - No Rating

Confidence: Fair - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

Weather Observations

learn more about danger ratings...

Weather Observations

Past 24 Hr Weather	Marmot Basin 0800	Columbia Icefields area
Maximum (°C)	12.5	16
Minimum (°C)	-1	0
Snowfall (cm)	0	0
Snow Pack (cm)	116	102
Wind speed	Light (1-25 km/h)	Light (1-25 km/h)
Ridgetop wind direction	S	W

Past 24 Hr Weather	Marmot Basin 0800	Columbia Icefields area
Maximum (°C)	12.5	16
Minimum (°C)	-1	0
Snowfall (cm)	0	0
Snow Pack (cm)	116	102
Wind speed	Light (1-25 km/h)	Light (1-25 km/h)
Ridgetop wind direction	S	W

Low	Moderate	Considerable	High	Extreme
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.	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.	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.	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.	Avoid all avalanche terrain. Natural and human-triggered avalanches certain. Large to very large avalanches in many areas.

Problem 1: Loose Wet

Which Elevation?

Which Slopes?

Chance of Avalanches?

Expected Size?

Warm temperatures and strong solar effect are creating loose wet avalanches that may go full depth and travel a long distance. Avoid large open slopes on hot afternoons.

Travel and Terrain Advice

Start and finish early before the surface crusts melt.
Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.

Problem 2: Wind Slabs

Which Elevation?

Which Slopes?

Chance of Avalanches?

Expected Size?

A significant amount of snow fell in the area during the last week of April and was distributed by winds onto lees aspects. Expect to see slab avalanches from windloaded terrain on hot afternoons.