Avalanche Forecast

Issued: May 13th, 2014 3:00PM

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

jeremy.mackenzie, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Travel conditions are generally good. Some of the bigger ski-mountaineering objectives and traverses are seeing traffic. Timing is everything - start early and finish early to avoid exposure to Spring-time avalanche activity and isothermal snow.

Summary

Confidence

Good - Freezing levels are uncertain

Weather Forecast

Avalanche Summary

Daily avalanche activity occurs once the snowpack heats up with inputs from solar radiation, daytime warming and/or rain. Most of these slides are loose wet avalanches, but there is a possibility for deep slab releases on the basal weak layers. This will be more of an issue during periods of prolonged warming coupled with poor overnight freezes.

Snowpack Summary

Crusts are prevalent on all aspects at all elevations as the Spring-time transition continues. The only exception is higher elevation North aspects which hold dry powder as each spring storm rolls through and deposits more snow. These deposits of new snow are typically bonding well and settle rapidly. Crusts break down through the day at varying times depending on aspect, elevation, solar radiation intensity and daytime heating. Isothermal conditions are found at lower elevations on the warmer days and/or during rain events. Cornices are sagging and become weak during each day's melt cycle. There still has not yet been a widespread Spring avalanche cycle, but this is expected to occur if and when the region experiences a period of prolonged warming coupled with poor overnight freezes.

Problems

Loose Wet

Loose wet avalanches associated with daytime heating and solar radiation are occurring daily. Timing is everything. Be aware of your terrain choices, particularly when the snowpack is wet or moist.

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, South West, West.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

The basal weak layers are capable of producing large slab avalanches during periods of prolonged warming of the snowpack through intense solar radiation, daytime heating and/or poor overnight freezes.

Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches.>Make your travel plans to take advantage of overnight freezing.>Cornices become weak with daytime heating, so travel early on exposed slopes.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

3 - 6

Valid until: May 14th, 2014 2:00PM