Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Apr 7 – 8, 2022Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
3 · Considerable

Highlights

New snow is forecast for tomorrow with 5-8cm expected. Important things to consider at this time of year is freezing levels, and quality of freeze overnight as the clouds move in. Rain at lower elevations will deteriorate the stability quickly, especially with a poor freeze. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    New snow and forecasted winds may create new windslabs in upper elevations and isolated areas at treeline. Watch where this new snow is overlying the recent crusts. 

  • Loose Wet

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

    Watch the freezing level closely, if the forecast precip falls as rain at lower elevations loose wet avalanches will be a problem

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the timing, track, & intensity of the incoming weather system.

Weather Forecast

A return to winter again for Friday with snow forecast to begin around noon. Amounts will only be 5-8cm but what will be important to note will be the freezing level. This snow may fall as rain at lower elevations which will rapidly deteriorate the snowpack so pay close attention. Winds will be out of the SW pushing into the moderate range so pay close attention to what's going on up higher. 

Avalanche Summary

Numerous loose wet slides on solar aspects up to sz 2. 

Snowpack Summary

An average of 20cm of recent storm snow is found at Treeline, which remains dry and low density on polar aspects, and turning moist, crusty and rugged on solar aspects up to the alpine. The recent snow appears well bonded to the layers below, but isolated pockets of wind slab are found in the Alpine. Watch for new windslabs developing in the alpine with the incoming snow and if rain falls at lower elevations, stability will be poor. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Pay attention to isolated alpine features as well as cross-loaded features at treeline.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and wind exposure.
  • Rain or periods of intense solar radiation can rapidly enhance the effects of warming.

Regions covered