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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 26th, 2015–Apr 26th, 2016

Alpine
Below Threshold.
Treeline
Below Threshold.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.
Alpine
Below Threshold.
Treeline
Below Threshold.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.
Alpine
Below Threshold.
Treeline
Below Threshold.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.

Regions

Kananaskis.

This will be the last regular bulletin for the Kananaskis Forecast area.  Thanks everyone for a great winter!  Avalanches can still occur as we transition into summer so pay attention to the problems listed here http://www.avalanche.ca/spring

Weather Forecast

Warm temperatures are forecast to move in and dominate the last week of April.  Spring snow storm may still occur with snow at higher elevations and rain down low.  Freezing levels are becomming more commonly over 3000m.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous loose wet avalanches and some deeper slab releases full depth to ground.  Some paths are going full path so be aware of this travelling down low in the valley floors. 

Snowpack Summary

We are into a spring snowpack at this time.  Crusts on all aspects are dominant except pure north aspects in the Alpine.  The snowpack is in a constant state of change at this time.  In the mornings it may or may not be in a frozen state based on the quality of the overnight freeze. As the temperatures warm up stability will decrease throughout the day.  Pay attention to aspect and overhead hazard as you travel... Other things important to consider are rapid loading from rain.  Rain will quickly saturate the snowpack making it heavy and weak.  For a full picture of the different spring time scenarios go to https://avalanche.ca/spring

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.