Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 20th, 2014 3:00PM

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

mike.koppang, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Solar radiation and aspect are the most important things to be aware of right now. Stability will detr throughout the day as it heats up so watch the sun and temps...

Summary

Weather Forecast

A few cms of new snow is forecast to fall overnight but not enough to significantly change the avalanche danger.Â A mix of sun and cloud is forecast with freezing levels at 2200-2400m.Â Stability will deteriorate on solar aspects when the sun comes out so be sure to pay attention to the aspect you are traveling on.

Avalanche Summary

The heat on Saturday caused a small cycle of natural avalanche activity on solar aspects. Evidence of a few wet slabs up to sz 1.5 were observed.

Snowpack Summary

Everyday the affects of the solar radiation climb higher. On Sunday, a temperature crust was found on a NW aspect up as high as 2500m. This crust made the skiing challenging. At lower elevations, there is a strong surface crust in the mornings and weak isothermal snow below this. Early starts are key to ensure you can get back to the trailhead before the crust breaks down. Dry powder snow can only be found on pure north aspects above 2200m.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

The heat has triggerred a few larger avalanches on the basal facets in some areas.

Choose the deepest and strongest snowpack areas on your run.>Avoid exposure to solar aspects overhead, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.>Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 6

Wet Slabs

Wet slabs failing on basal facets at treeline and below on solar aspects. These may be triggerred by loose wet point releases.

Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 5

Valid until: Apr 21st, 2014 2:00PM