Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 13th, 2015 3:00PM

The alpine rating is below threshold, the treeline rating is below threshold, and the below treeline rating is below threshold. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Loose Wet.

matt.mueller, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Recent wind slabs have put a damper on the ski quality. Sheltered areas on north aspects are the best bet right now. Click here for a link to the No Rating explanation.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Overnight freezing levels will be 1700m. Alpine overnight lows will be around -3. Tomorrow will bring moderate SW winds with gusts hitting 50km/hr at ridge crest. The high will be -1 with some light cloud cover. Solar radiation may be a concern. Convective flurries will bring some snow, but not much.

Avalanche Summary

One isolated slab was noted below a cliff in the alpine, sz1.5 on an east aspect. Late day loose wet avalanches are suspected on steep solar aspects. Forecasters left the field before the heat of the day reached its peak.

Snowpack Summary

Storm snow amounts vary with altitude and aspect. At treeline there is 30-40cm of new snow sitting on top of the midpack crusts. Within this storm snow there is a distinct windslab. Tests today had an easy shear down 12-15cm's. This surface wind slab problem is generally widespread, however the density is variable. Wind transport has been significant at all elevations. Alpine transport is ongoing with prevailing winds from the west. Localized wind patterns have created widespread windslabs in the alpine.

Problems

Wind Slabs

In steep convex terrain it will be worth investigating the surface wind slabs. They are bonding quickly, but unstable pockets do exist. Solar aspects will degrade quickly once the sun comes out.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Loose Wet

With a marginal recovery overnight, any solar input on Tuesday will wake up and weaken new snow quickly. Watch steep features on south and south west aspects if the sun comes out or cloud cover is thin.

Minimize exposure to sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.>

Aspects: North, North East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Apr 14th, 2015 2:00PM