Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Apr 18 – 19, 2023Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
No rating
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Highlights

Storm amounts are uncertain. If you arrive at the parking lot and find more snow than expected, The hazard could easily increase to HIGH. Generally poor ski quality out there at the moment.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2

    This problems reactivity will depend on how much snow actually falls with the incoming pulse of weather.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    The persistent layer is down roughly 100cm. May wake up again with increasing precipitation.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    2–3.5

    Shallow snowpack areas are an area of special concern, especially with intense solar radiation and/or daytime heating.

    Great evidence of this problem avalanching is easy to find along the spray road right now.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A few small windslabs immediately below cornices were observed today on treeline, east aspects features in the Burstall pass area. Otherwise no other reports.

Snowpack Summary

10cm storm snow has fallen. This has been instantly removed by strong to extreme winds and most surfaces with exception to true North has been stripped back down to previous surfaces including suncrust and vintage windslabs.

Forecasters continue to track persistent weaknesses down anywhere from 40 to 100cm on polar aspects. These weaknesses are highly variable in nature and travelers should take the time to dig down and evaluate the snowpack frequently. Also, the lingering deep persistent slab problem is still alive and well.

Weather Summary

Conflicting models are classic for this time of the year. Some models calling for 30cm other calling for only a few centimeters. What is consistent right now is the cooler temps and cloud cover. Day time highs of -5 with lows around -12.

Winds are swapping to more of a N-NE wind just over 20km/h

Freezing levels will remain around 1700m on Wednesday.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Avoid steep slopes when air temperatures are warm, or solar radiation is strong.
  • In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.
  • Cornices become weak with daytime heating or solar exposure.

Regions covered