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Avalanche Forecast

Apr 6th, 2021–Apr 7th, 2021
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Kananaskis.

Wednesday will start off clear before a storm moves in later in the day giving us 20-25cm and strong SW winds. Watch for the winds to increase ahead of the front and make the upper snowpack more windslabby. Start EARLY if you headed out and beat the heat!

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the timing, track, & intensity of the incoming weather system.

Weather Forecast

A cold clear night is forecast overnight tonight with a clear morning on Wednesday. As the day progresses a system will move into the region giving us up to 20cm of snow by Thursday morning. Winds will be strong Wednesday out of the west with the arrival of the front. With spring, when the sun is out watch for intense solar radiation to decrease the stability on the solar aspects.  

Avalanche Summary

A recent sz 2 avalanche on Mt Sparrowhawk that was cornice triggerred was 40-200cm deep and ran for close to 200m crossing the regular uptrack. This was one of the deeper avalanches that has occurred recently. There were also a few loose wet avalanches on steep solar aspects later in the day. 

Snowpack Summary

Winds were light on Tuesday and as a result there wasnt much change in the current snowpack structure. 10-12cm of snow is overlying a variety of different snow surfaces in the alpine with isolated windslabs at cols and crossloaded features. With winds increasing on Wednesday, these slabs may become more reactive and easier to find. Surface snow was moist by midday on solar aspects. At treeline and below travel is fast in the morning on surface crusts and mushy in the afternoon. Early starts with careful consideration of overhead hazards already in the sun is critical.   

Terrain and Travel

  • Avoid steep convex slopes.
  • Cornices become weak with daytime heating or solar exposure.
  • Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Isolated windslabs are being found at Cols and on crossloaded features. As winds increase on Wednesday they may become more widespread. 

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5

Loose Wet

When the sun comes out expect a quick deterioration on solar aspects. Freezes have been marginal down low lately, which also contributes to the quick change.

Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Very Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Cornices

With intense solar radiation and warm daytime temperatures, cornices will become fragile. Simple answer is: stay away.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5