Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 13th, 2013 3:00PM

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

jeremy.mackenzie, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Up to 40cm of recent snow has formed storm slabs on N and E aspects, but Northerly winds are now forming slabs on S aspects as well. We have shifted back to winter and while ski quality is excellent, be cautious in wind loaded terrain.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Winds will be strong from the North on Sunday and snow flurries will continue. New snow accumulations will likely be less than 10cm. Temperatures will be below seasonal with alpine values near -16.

Avalanche Summary

Several loose dry up to size 1.5 were observed in steep alpine terrain. A size 2.0 avalanche on a SE aspect of Hero's Knob occurred sometime in the past 24 to 36 hours, but obscured conditions made it difficult to determine the trigger and the age of the debris.

Snowpack Summary

Between 10 and 40cm of storm snow now lies on a variety of previous surfaces. This storm snow is settling rapidly and is sluffing in steep terrain at higher elevations. Storm slabs exist on N and E aspects at treeline and above, and slabs are also developing on South aspects due to increasing Northerly winds.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm slabs between 30 and 60cm thick are present at and above treeline between in lee and cross-loaded features. Slabs are also developing on South aspects as winds increase from the North.

Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.>Avoid travelling in areas that have been reverse loaded by winds.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Loose Dry

Sluffing is occurring in steep terrain on all aspects. Be aware of overhead terrain.

Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.>Avoid travelling under cliffs that are exposed to sluffing from above.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Apr 14th, 2013 2:00PM