Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 6th, 2016 8:01AM

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

mike.koppang, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Freezing levels will climb to 3400 on thursday with clearing skies. Start early and think about overhead terrain that may already be in the sun.

Summary

Confidence

High - Freezing levels are uncertain

Weather Forecast

HIgh freezing levels and WARM temps are forecast for Thursday. The sun will have a large influence on stability over the next 24hrs so be sure to keep a mindful eye on the aspect and overhead terrain as you travel.

Avalanche Summary

Little to no avalanche activity in the last 24 hours to report.

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack saw less affect from solar radiation today with the cooler temperatures but overall, the snowpack is isothermal down lower, and hard and frozen at higher elevations. North aspects still have some sheers in the upper snowpack 2500m and above but below this the snowpack is a series of crusts and isothermal snow.

Problems

Loose Wet

Loose wet slides will be occurring as temperatures warm up on all aspects. South aspects will be the most likely areas to be concerned about. Some loose wet slides may pull out slabs on underlying slopes.

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

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Deep Persistent Slabs

Solar radiation is triggerring some deeper slabs failing at ground and running to the end of their normal runouts.

Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.>Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

3 - 6

Cornices

Cornices will be collapsing with daytime warming perhaps triggering slabs on the underlying slopes.

Cornices become weak with daytime heating, so travel early on exposed slopes.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

2 - 6

Valid until: Apr 7th, 2016 2:00PM