Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 17th, 2015 8:14AM

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

mike.koppang, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Pay close attn to the quality of the overnight freeze. Cloudy conditions are forecast so the freeze may be minimal. If the sun does come out, stability will decrease quickly, especially on solar aspects. Click here for explanation of spring problems.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Freezing levels are uncertain on Saturday

Weather Forecast

Saturday Weather:Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries and there will be a trace of new snow throughout the day from convective flurries. Freezing levels will be at 2300m with temps in the Alpine around 0C. Winds will be out of the north at 10-20km/hr

Avalanche Summary

Lots of loose wet slides on all aspects except true north up to 2700m. No new slab avalanches were observed on Friday.

Snowpack Summary

Warm temps over the past few days have settled out what snow fell last week. Winds in alpine terrain have affected lots of areas but sheltered north aspects may still have some good snow. Most other areas have a crust from the recent high freezing levels and some areas below treeline have once again gone isothermal unless yoru travelling in areas that were previously travelled and packed down. Corn snow and timing will be the thing to look for now... To review the spring problems click here or go to www.avalanche.ca/spring. We are essentially in scenario 2 right now, Daily Melt freeze cycles.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Watch for these in isolated areas in the Alpine

Be very cautious with gully features.>Minimize exposure to sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.>Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.>

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Cornices

Heat, new snow and winds are causing these features to collapse.

Extra caution needed around cornices with current conditions.>

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Loose Wet

This problem will increase throughout the day as temperatures warm up. If the sun comes out, be aware of this problem all the way up through treeline and into the Alpine areas on solar aspects.

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

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Apr 18th, 2015 2:00PM