Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 14th, 2012 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Wind Slabs, Persistent Slabs and Loose Wet.

mike.koppang, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

The sun may come out a bit on Sunday so watch for decreases in stability on solar aspects. Temperatures are forecast to cool down slightly over the next 24hrs.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Freezing levels are uncertain on Sunday

Weather Forecast

A weak high pressure ridge is beginning to push into the forecast region by Sunday bringing with it some slightly cooler air. This will see a bit more of a broken to scattered cloud pattern and the possibility of some sun. Watch for quick decreases in stability related to the sun coming out.

Avalanche Summary

A few new isolated loose snow avalanches from higher elevations on all aspects up to size 2. At lower elevations below 2000m, a few wet slab avalanches were observed in the HWY40 drainage due to recent winds. These wet slabs can be very destructive and as a result, a few paths have been extended beyond their historical boundaries.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 30cm of recent HST at higher elevations continues to be redistributed by the variable winds. This new snow is rapidly forming storm slabs as conditions are ideal for slab development due to warm temps and L-M winds. Snowpack at lower elevations is approaching isothermal.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Recent variable winds have formed pockets of windslabs up to 50cm along ridgelines and in cross loaded features in Alpine terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Persistent Slabs

The Feb surface hoar and basal facets are a concern deeper in the snowpack. Solar radiation and large loads, such as cornices, have triggered avalanches up to size 3.5 over the past week. Make sure where you are in relation to large overhead terrain

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

3 - 7

Loose Wet

If the sun does come out of Sunday we may see a few loose wet slides on solar aspects. Keep an eye on overhead terrain as there is a chance that even a smaller loose slide can step down to a deeper basal weakness.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Apr 15th, 2012 9:00AM