Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 28th, 2013 9:14AM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Loose Wet.

jeremy.mackenzie, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Some new snow in the forecast for tomorrow. The skiing may be refreshed and quite good with dust on crust. A reminder that the bulletins will be phased out in the next while as spring continues. MM

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather is uncertain on Monday

Weather Forecast

A cooling trend will bring some convective snow to the area over the next 12 hours. Typical with convective activity, the amounts are uncertain but there could be up to 12cm by tomorrow afternoon. Ridge winds will be strong from the NW.

Avalanche Summary

No new observations

Snowpack Summary

up to 5cm HN in alpine areas that has ben redistributed by moderate to strong NW winds. New windslabs suspected in isolated terrain, but for the most part the storm snow has been blown clean. A thick and supportive melt/freeze crust is exposed up to 2500m. Isothermal snow below treeline by early afternoon, even with heavy cloud cover. Compression tests on a windward aspect had moderate results on a crust down 28cm on depth hoar, 2440m.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs are found in Alpine areas on lee and cross-loaded features. In most areas these slabs sit on a crust. Take the time to evaluate the bond of the wind slabs to the crusts below.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Loose Wet

Solar aspects are susceptible to increasing avalanche danger each day as solar radiation affect the snowpack. Plan your day to avoid exposure to large sunny slopes in the afternoons.

Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.>

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Apr 29th, 2013 2:00PM