Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 20th, 2017 3:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is considerable. Known problems include Loose Wet, Deep Persistent Slabs and Cornices.

mike.koppang, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Freezing levels and quality of overnight freeze are uncertain on Friday. If there is no freeze, danger ratings at treeline will likely be higher than forecast.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Freezing levels are uncertain on Friday

Weather Forecast

Avalanche Summary

A few loose wet avalanches up to sz 1 with the warmer temps. Otherwise no new observations or reported avalanches.

Snowpack Summary

Limited observations these days as the season starts to wind down. Temps on Thursday climbed to 12C at 2200m with lots of cloud cover. Light rain was falling starting in the afternoon and lower elevation terrain was going isothermal. Freezing levels climbed to 2500m so expect to encounter moist snow to this elevation. Above this elevation, dry snow can still be found on N aspects but dont expect long runs of powder. As you approach treeline, the MFC of spring returns and skiing gets a bit more challenging. South aspects are starting to "Corn" up but its not full on spring corn season just yet.

Problems

Loose Wet

Loose wet slides are being triggerred with the warming temps or rain. Some loose wet slides may wake up a wet slab failing at ground underlying slopes.

If triggered the loose wet sluffs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.Use extra caution on slopes if the snow is moist or wet.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

We are not entirely free from this layer yet. It is still down there and more suspect in thin areas, cold areas that haven't seen a warming cycle and large terrain that hasn't avalanched yet.

Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could easily trigger deep slabs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Cornices

Cornices are collapsing with the warmer temperatures triggering slabs on underlying slopes.

Extra caution needed around cornices with current conditions.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Apr 21st, 2017 2:00PM