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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 20th, 2017–Apr 21st, 2017

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

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.

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 avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.