Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 29th, 2014 8:47AM

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

jeremy.mackenzie, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

A major warming on Wed and Thurs will likely trigger a significant spring avalanche cycle. Avoid avalanche terrain.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Warm and mostly sunny conditions are expected for the next two days, before another wave of precipitation arrive on Friday. Freezing levels will reach 3300m on Wednesday and 3600m on Thursday with little to no overnight recovery.

Avalanche Summary

Several loose wet slides up to size 2.0 were triggered today by solar radiation on East, South and West aspects.

Snowpack Summary

Moist snow is found on all aspects and at all elevations except true North aspects above 2400m. The snowpack is turning isothermal at lower elevations. Isolated thin wind slabs are found at ridge crest in immediate lee slopes, but these have been unreactive to ski cutting. The basal facets and deoth hoar are reactive during times of intense solar radiation and/or warm daytime temperatures. Some recent avalanches have failed on the ground. Where cornices exist they are large and sagging.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

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

Ski crampons make travel easier and safer on frozen surface conditions>Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.>Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices.>Make your travel plans to take advantage of overnight freezing.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

3 - 6

Loose Wet

High freezing levels over the next two days will lead to widespread wet avalanches, especially on solar aspects. Avoid avalanche terrain when the snowpack is moist or wet, and be very aware of overhead hazard.

Start and finish early before the surface crusts melt.>Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices.>

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Apr 30th, 2014 2:00PM