Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Apr 21st, 2017–Apr 22nd, 2017

Alpine

Below Threshold

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be below threshold

Treeline

Below Threshold

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be below threshold

Below Treeline

Below Threshold

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold

Alpine

Below Threshold

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be below threshold

Treeline

Below Threshold

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be below threshold

Below Treeline

Below Threshold

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold

Alpine

Below Threshold

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be below threshold

Treeline

Below Threshold

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be below threshold

Below Treeline

Below Threshold

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold

Regions: Kananaskis.

Spring is officially here! Our daily forecast will stop as of today, but we will update if needed. Remember that snow stability is directly related to temperatures. Early starts and solid freezes are essential for safe travel.

Confidence

Weather Forecast

The predictable spring pattern appears to be with us now. The next few days will see daytime freezing levels approach treeline and evening lows just below zero. The winds will be light for the next 3 days. Flurries will also be ongoing, however amounts will be low.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing noted, but our field day was done by 9 am. Likely some loose wet to sz1.5 in the afternoon with the warmth and light rain.Â

Snowpack Summary

Wet. Last night saw rain up to 2300m with extended warm temps. Eventually the rain turned to snow, but not until late in the night (or early in the morning-depends on how you look at it). This made for a very marginal freeze with 5-10cm of moist snow on the surface. Right now valley bottom snow is isothermal, treeline snow is seeing a daily freeze/thaw cycle and the alpine is seeing surface crusts on all aspects that are gradually penetrating to the deeper layers. A late, but classic spring change to the entire snowpack is underway. With the extended warmth cornices are an increasing problem. Treat them with caution, whether they are above or next to you.

Avalanche Problems

Loose Wet

As the snowpack warms we become increasingly susceptible to loose wet avalanches. Steep terrain and gullies should be treated with caution if the snow is moist or wet.

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

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

In general the bottom layers are still weak and suspect. Especially in the alpine and/or polar aspects. Wet slabs are also a possibility as the deeper layers fail.

Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: 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.Stay well back from cornices.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size: 2 - 3