Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 17th, 2014 3:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Storm Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.

matt.mueller, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Spring conditions are variable right now. The expected weather will make for a mixed bag of avalanche problems. Watch for winter like conditions up high, and spring hazards down low. Keep an eye on the snow's overnight recovery.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

A weak front will pass through the area tomorrow during the day. Temperatures are expected to fall slightly throughout the day. Right now we can expect valley bottom temps to peak at 3 degrees by mid afternoon with a freezing level of 1900m. The alpine will be cooler and max out at -5. Moderate snow will also start as the front passes through. Amounts are expected to be around 10cm's, but this could vary locally. And who can forget the winds? The directions will be all over the map, but the wind speeds will be fairly consistent at 50km/hr in the alpine.

Avalanche Summary

Some minor pin wheeling was noted today at lower elevations.

Snowpack Summary

A few flurries today has offered little to the snowpack in terms of depth and stability. The consistently warm temperatures today kept the settlement rate high. On average we have lost 3-4 cm's per day at the valley bottom snow plots. Above 2000m the snow remained cool enough for the snow to stay dry. Below that, the heat turned the snow into a moist, dense layer. Aspect did not play as much of a role today as past days.

Problems

Storm Slabs

The incoming snow will likely be cool enough to form new slabs. The bond with the existing snow will depend on how cold the underlying layers are at the time of the new snow. Asses this bond on small terrain to get an idea of how it might react.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

This layer's potential as an avalanche problem is huge. Sustained high temperatures will be needed for this layer to wake up.

Minimize exposure to sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.>Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

4 - 6

Valid until: Apr 18th, 2014 2:00PM