Avalanche Forecast

Archived

May 3rd, 2019–May 4th, 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.

Another 10-15cm of snow is forecast over the next 24hrs with rain at lower elevations. Use caution as spring time snow amounts can be tricky to forecast and some areas may receive higher amounts.

Confidence

-

Weather Forecast

Forecast models differ but in general we are expecting to see up to 12cm of snow and or rain at lower elevations over the next 24hrs. Rain will rapidly overload the weak basal layers in the snowpack and likely trigger loose wet and/or wet slab avalanches. Pay close attention to temperature and precipitation type. Day time high are forecast to be around +4 with a freezing level close to 2200m.

Avalanche Summary

Avalanche activity was decreased on Friday but on thursday there were numerous loose dry up to sz 1.5, along with windslabs up to sz 2.5. Loose wet avalancehs were also observed promptly initiating after the sun came out. Keep an eye on incoming solar radiation.

Snowpack Summary

30-45cm of snow has fallen over the past week. This new snow has fallen under generally warm temperatures and variable NW winds. Southern and solar aspects are kissed by the recent warm temperatures and as a result, you should expect to encounter crusts on these aspects. Northern aspects in alpine areas are still hold dry snow. Whats critical to evaluate is the bond of this new snow with the underlying snow surface. Due its warm nature as it fell, so far we have observed a good bond with the underlying crust. This can be highly variable though so we encourage backcountry users to dig down and inspect this interface. Northern aspects have windslabs in alpine areas especially along ridgelines. Use caution as the entrances to runs and check for these concerns before committing.

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 Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.

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.