Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 11th, 2018 3:00PM

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

mike.koppang, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Up to 10cm of snow is forecast to fall over the next 24hrs generally light winds. Pay attention to freezing levels as some snow may fall as rain at lower elevations. Solar radiation is strong, pay attention to solar features.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

Forecasts are calling for a bit of snow on Thursday with up to 10-12cm forecast for the treeline elevations. Skies will likely be cloudy with a freezing level expected to climb up to 1900m throughout the day.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed.

Snowpack Summary

A supportive melt/freeze crust was found on all aspects up to 2000m and even higher on solar aspects. This crust did begin to break down later in the morning as temps warmed up. Good skiing with dry snow was found on due North aspects in sheltered areas above 2100m. The beginning of corn snow was forming with the daytime heating in open terrain at lower elevations. The March 15th crust down 30 to 50cm on solar aspects in isolated terrain is still a concern, thus approaching these slopes with caution is advised. Cornices are large and are feeling the heat of the April sun, and should be avoided.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Watch for wind slabs in Alpine especially near cross-loaded gullies and immediately below ridge-lines. These slabs may become more sensitive to triggering as the temperatures rise during the day.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.Evaluate unsupported slopes critically.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Cornices

Cornices are large and looming. When the solar radiation is strong and/or the air temperature rises, cornice collapses could be a major concern.

Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could easily trigger persistent slabs.Cornices become weak with daytime heating.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

The March 15th melt-freeze crust, buried 30-50cm on solar aspects, could be an issue on bigger slopes, particularly in the Alpine. Evaluate the snowpack for the presence/absence of this problem layer before committing to a terrain feature.

Avoid steep Southerly aspects.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 12th, 2018 2:00PM