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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Apr 16th, 2018–Apr 17th, 2018
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Kananaskis.

Challenging avalanche conditions with poor ski quality.

Confidence

-

Weather Forecast

Tuesday will be a typical spring day with sunny periods, cloudy periods and isolated flurries. Winds will be 35-50km/h from the west with a freezing level of 2000m.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous avalanches were observed that had occurred on Sunday in the late afternoon. Some of these avalanches were loose and wet and others were slabs with distinctive crown lines of approximately 50cm deep on average.

Snowpack Summary

Today, we tried to ski the Hero's knob loop and turned around due to a slab sitting on the April 13 crust and the exposure to natural avalanches. 10cm new snow from Sunday night is sitting on a thin melt /freeze crust. Below this is a 40-50cm slab that is poorly bonded to another melt/freeze crust that is 5cm thick produced on April 13 and extends into the alpine. This slab has produced numerous natural avalanches at tree line and in the alpine on all aspects. It is very likely that more avalanches will occur on this layer with strong solar radiation. It is recommended to approach tree line and the alpine with caution and give time for this slab to heal.  The ski quality was poor below 2200m.

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

40-50cm slab poorly bonded to the April 13 melt/freeze crust interface.
Watch for signs of instability such as whumpfing, or cracking. Carefully evaluate terrain features by digging and testing on adjacent, safe slopes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Loose Wet

Keep an eye out for rapidly increasing solar radiation.
Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.Use extra caution on slopes if the snow is moist or wet.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Cornices

Keep a safe distance from overhead cornices.
Cornices become weak with daytime heating, so travel early on exposed slopes.Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could easily trigger persistent slabs.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3