Avalanche Forecast

Issued: May 1st, 2014 3:00PM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is high, and the below treeline rating is high. Known problems include Deep Persistent Slabs, Storm Slabs and Loose Wet.

mike.koppang, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

With no freeze likely overnight and rain forecast on Friday we can expect natural avalanche activity to continue. As temps drop on Sat and sunday, Avalanche activity will decrease.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Well here comes another blast of winter. Up to 50cm of new snow is expected over the next few days with freezing levels around 2300m. This lack of freeze at lower elevations will trigger another round of natural avalanche activity at lower elevations on all aspects. THe next few days will not be the time to get out skiing.

Avalanche Summary

Lots of loose wet, and wet slabs up to sz 3 have been observed over the past 24hrs. THese slabs have been occuring on all aspects and failing down to ground in many areas.

Snowpack Summary

The warm temps are starting to penetrate deeper into the snowpack. Isothermal snow is now being found up to treeline in some areas. Above this, expect to have surface crusts that break down later in the day resulting in some corn snow, Remember though what goes up must come down and you dont want to be wading through isothermal snow back to the trailhead.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

The basal facets are producing large destructive slab avalanches that are failing on the basal facets.

Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices.>Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

3 - 6

Storm Slabs

New Storm slabs will be building in Alpine terrain with the influx of new snow and wind.

Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.>

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Loose Wet

Be wary of slopes that did not previously avalanche - even on low angle terrain.>Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of rain.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: May 2nd, 2014 2:00PM