Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 6th, 2012 4:00PM

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

mike.koppang, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Lots of new snow is available for transport at higher elevations so keep an eye on the winds. Also, stability can rapidly deteriorate when the sun comes out so avoid solar aspects. Early starts and early finishes are a good idea.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Temps are forecast to remain below freezing over the next 24hrs. A broad ridge passing over the region on Saturday will give us a few convective flurries but snowfall amounts are not expected to be significant. Skies will be broken, but when the sun does come out, stability will rapidly deteriorate under the influence of the strong solar radiation. Use caution as you travel and watch your thermomotor.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous loose dry sluffs on all aspects up to size 1.5. Report late in the day of a sz 3 off of a SW aspect at Mt Tyrwitt. No details at this time. Later in the day, loose wet avalanches were being observed due to solar radiation on solar aspects.

Snowpack Summary

Storm snow continues to settle under the influences of mild temperatures. Winds remained calm, as a result, slab development in alpine terrain has been isolated to immediate lees and ridgelines. New snow sluffing easily on the April 2rd melt freeze crust down 20-40cm in the snowpack.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Recent snow and warm temps are creating storm slabs in open terrain. Due to calm winds, these slabs are only being observed at ridgelines and along crossloaded terrain features but if winds increase, they will quickly grow and become more touchy.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Loose Wet

Loose wet slides related to daytime warming are being observed on solar aspects. Pay close attention to terrain that is overhead as you travel.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

The February surface hoar is buried 120-150cm at treeline. This interface is still hard to trigger, but it has come back alive in recent cornice triggered avalanches. The spring transition could see more avalanches stepping down to this layer.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 6

Valid until: Apr 7th, 2012 9:00AM