Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Kananaskis.
Confidence
-
Weather Forecast
Overnight on thursday we may see up to an additional 15cm of snow and another 5-10cm on Friday. Winds are forecast to be light with freezing levels are 2000m.  Start early while there is still a good freeze and be home early.Â
Avalanche Summary
A few recent sz 3 avalanches have been observed failing to ground initiating in Alpine terrain on N through E aspects. Cornices are large, and are the suspected trigger in these avalanches. There has also been loose wet at lower elevaitons, and loose dry in Alpine terrain from steep unskiable features.
Snowpack Summary
20-30cm of snow has fallen over the past few days (23-27th of April) with warm temperatures and generally light winds. This new snow is settling rapidly at lower elevations and more slowly in alpine areas. Expect to encounter a series of melt freeze crusts on solar aspects up the 3100m and dry powder snow in alpine terrain on northern aspects. At 2200m and below, expect to encounter widespread surface crusts that will be supportive in the morning and less so in the afternoon. On solar aspects, watch for the new snow forming thin slabs or loose dry slides on the underlying crusts that react quickly to a skiers weight.
Avalanche Problems
Cornices
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 2 - 3
Deep Persistent Slabs
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 4
Loose Wet
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2