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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Apr 18th, 2014–Apr 19th, 2014
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be high
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
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
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
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

Regions: Kananaskis.

A weak freeze is forecast overnight and clear skies are forecast for Saturday.  The snowpack will deteriorate quickly on Saturday, especially on Solar aspects so early starts and early finishes are key.  Pay close attention to temperature and aspect.

Confidence

Fair

Weather Forecast

Mix of sun and cloud with isolated convective flurries throughout the day on Saturday.  Winds are expected to increase overnight and begin to push into the strong range out of the SW.  Freezing levels again forecast to be around 2100m.  The cloud cover will minimize any overnight freeze so watch for stability to deteriorate earlier in the day on Saturday,

Avalanche Summary

Lots of loose wet pinwheeling was observed as well as 2 recent size 2 slabs at ridgelines in steep rocky terrain.

Snowpack Summary

A few cms of new snow overnight adds to the previous 20cm snow that has fallen over the past week.  On any aspects but true north this new snow has been fast to settle but on polar aspects in Alpine areas, there is still a very wintery snowpack.  The freezing level on Friday was at 2100m and below this the snow was wet and moist to ground.  Winds have been suprisingly calm but there was evidence of a windslab being formed at immediate ridgelines in the Alpine.  The basal facets are waking up with the warm temperatures of late and we are starting to see some larger avalanche or at least the potential for larger avalanches to occur.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Along ridgelines , ridgecrests and in gullied terrain expect to encounter these problems
Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 4

Loose Wet

Steeper terrain at treeline on all aspects and up to ridgelines on solar aspects.
Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Very Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

This deep instability can become a problem with increased amounts of sun and or rain.  Have in your mind the "what ifs" of a large avalanche.
Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.>Minimize exposure to sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 3 - 6