Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 15th, 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 Loose Wet, Wind Slabs and Cornices.

matt.mueller, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

North aspects still have some good skiing tucked away in sheltered areas. Traveling early is recommended with the warm mid day temps. Be sure to check out this "link" for a current explanation of the spring no rating system.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Moderate winds overnight tonight with a valley bottom freeze expected. Tomorrow will bring clear skies and above zero temps in the alpine. The winds will continue to flow out of the west and range from 20-25km/hr with gusts up to 60km/hr. Freezing level will reach 2400m.

Avalanche Summary

Loose wet on solar aspects up to sz1.5 and cornice collapses were noted.

Snowpack Summary

5-10 cm's came in from the last storm. This snow was very low density and easily blown around by the winds. There was significant recovery/refreezing last night which help up for most of the day. Windslabs start to appear at treeline and continue all the way up to the alpine. In the alpine, cornices have grown significantly. A few collapses were witnessed today, but no slabs were initiated.

Problems

Loose Wet

Today the sun brought these on by 1pm on steep south aspects. We can expect the same tomorrow

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

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Wind Slabs

These are bonding quickly. Potential trigger zones would be steep, convex areas and crossloaded gullies.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>Caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Cornices

The new snow and wind has formed large cornices. These are soft and ripe for the season. They have potential to trigger the slopes below.

Avoid steep slopes below cornices.>Do not travel on slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.>

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Apr 16th, 2015 2:00PM