Avalanche Forecast

Issued: May 4th, 2017 3:00PM

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

michael.olsthoorn, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Attention Scramblers. Unusual snowpack continues. Numerous avalanches observed today on all aspects with warm weather.

Summary

Confidence

Weather Forecast

Hot weather with highs in the low 20's is forecast for the next several days.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous size 3 - 3.5 avalanches have been observed today on all aspects which started early this morning.

Snowpack Summary

Spring conditions with snow becoming isothermal with warm weather and solar radiation during the day and refreezing at night. The lower 80cm of the snowpack is still extremely weak and is subject to failure when the upper snowpack becomes isothermal. Watch out for large scale avalanches releasing to ground and going to valley bottom.Â

Problems

Cornices

Cornices are collapsing with the warmer temperatures triggering slabs on underlying slopes.

Extra caution needed around cornices with current conditions.Stay well back from cornices.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

In general the bottom layers are still weak and suspect. Especially in the alpine and/or polar aspects. Large triggers such as a big influx of heat or a cornice collapse can wake up these basal layers.

Travel early before the heat of the day, and avoid big slopes in the afternoon.Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Loose Wet

As the snowpack warms we become increasingly susceptible to loose wet avalanches. Steep terrain and gullies should be treated with caution if the snow is moist or wet.

Use extra caution on slopes if the snow is moist or wet.If triggered the loose wet sluffs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: May 5th, 2017 2:00PM