Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Apr 26, 2015 – Apr 26, 2016Alberta Parks
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
No rating
Treeline
No rating
Below
No rating
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Highlights

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

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–4
      Heat, new snow and winds are causing these features to collapse.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Loose wet on all aspects except for true north in alpine areas.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    3–6
    Heat will slowly wake up the deep basal facets and trigger avalanches that fail to ground. 

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

Regions covered