Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 1st, 2013 3:00PM

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

jeremy.mackenzie, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Avalanche Danger is climbing to CONSIDERABLE or HIGH each day due to solar radiation and daytime heating. This rise will occur sooner tomorrow as the overnight recovery (re-freeze) is not expected to be very deep.

Summary

Confidence

Good - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Yet another sunny and warm day on Tuesday with light to moderate West winds. Freezing levels are expected to reach at least 2600m. Wednesday is a different story with rain possible late that afternoon and freezing levels at 2200m.

Avalanche Summary

Avalanche activity up to size 2.5 was observed today. All of the slides were solar related and included loose avalanches and slab avalanches that were natural triggered, cornice triggered and one small skier-triggered slab. Many slides are now failing on deeper layers down 100cm or more.

Snowpack Summary

Little change in the snowpack lately, except that it continues to settle. Crusts are melting and re-freezing each day on solar aspects, and are becoming steadily thicker with each passing cycle. Cornices continue to be a concern and are visibly sagging from the long period of intense solar radiation.

Problems

Loose Wet

Steep solar aspects have been producing loose wet and wet slab avalanches in the past several days due to intense solar radiation and daytime heating. Some of these slides have been running far out into run-out zones.

Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.>Start and finish early before the surface crusts melt.>

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 5

Cornices

Cornices are large and sagging after more than a week of warm temperatures. Recent cornice failures have triggered slabs on the underlying slopes. Be aware of overhead exposure especially during times of intense solar radiation.

Cornices become weak with daytime heating, so travel early on exposed slopes.>Extra caution needed around cornices with current conditions.>

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 5

Valid until: Apr 2nd, 2013 2:00PM