Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 30th, 2019–May 1st, 2019

Alpine

Below Threshold.

Treeline

Below Threshold.

Below Treeline

Below Threshold.

Alpine

Below Threshold.

Treeline

Below Threshold.

Below Treeline

Below Threshold.

Alpine

Below Threshold.

Treeline

Below Threshold.

Below Treeline

Below Threshold.

Regions

Kananaskis.

A return to wintery conditions at upper elevations requires a shift in mindset. Be prepared for wind slabs in the Alpine. Otherwise, this time of year brings rapid changes to the snowpack and avalanche hazard with solar radiation and warm temps.

Confidence

-

Weather Forecast

A cool and snowy week is expected. Springtime squalls could deposit significant snow in certain areas, while other areas remain relatively dry. Winds will be mainly light, but localized strong gusts are possible.

Avalanche Summary

Avalanche observations are extremely limited at this time due to a lack of field observations.

Snowpack Summary

An upslope storm recently deposited 30 to 40cm of new snow on the eastern side of the range with only about 20cm on the western side. This snow is settling rapidly at lower elevations and becoming moist with daytime heating. Wind slabs are found in the Alpine on N and E aspects, and cool temperatures are generally keeping the snow dry in these areas. The bond of the new snow to the previous surfaces is highly variable, so take the time to evaluate this interface before committing to bigger terrain. Despite the recent snow and cool temperatures the snowpack is generally a springtime snowpack, with rapid changes caused by solar input and daytime heating. Crusts will come and go depending on the extent of the overnight freeze and the weather on any given day. Good skiing is found on upper elevation north aspects, and these can be considered more "wintery" in nature for much of the coming week with more flurries forecast and cool temperatures persisting.

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.

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.