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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Apr 21st, 2022–Apr 22nd, 2022
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Kananaskis.

Snow forecast to arrive late in the day on Friday. If the snow falls as rain at lower elevations expect the danger to be increased up to the freezing level. Pay close attention to snow amounts and temperatures. Soon forecasters will be changing the danger ratings to "spring"   

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the timing of the incoming weather system.

Weather Forecast

Winter returns on friday with 15-20cm of snow forecast throughout the day (the bulk of this is forecast to come in the PM). We suspect that this will be via convective flurries so amounts may be variable, pay close attention. The freezing level will again be around 2200m so pay close attention to what happens if the forecasted precip comes as rain at lower elevations. The sun also packs a big punch when it comes out so keep an eye on overhead cloud cover. 

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity was observed on Thursday. 

Snowpack Summary

The recent snow that has fallen is rapidly settling under the influence of the warmer temperatures. Storm slabs and wind slabs were noted along ridgelines down 20-30cm that were failing in the easy range. These slabs do not extend far downslope though. Where these slabs are the most reactive is in areas where they are overlying a melt freeze crust. Essentially this is all aspects except true north. Moist snow was also encountered thursday on aspects up to 2200m.  

Terrain and Travel

  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
  • Keep in mind the crust offers an excellent bed surface for avalanches.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Windslabs can be found in the alpine along ridgelines and in gullied terrain. Watch for these slabs overlying a crust on solar aspects where they are more reactive. 

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Storm Slabs

Watch for storm slabs and evaluate the bond between the new snow and the underlying surface. Placces where the slabs is overlying a crust they seem to be the most reactive. 

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2