Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 12th, 2014 3:00PM

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

matt.mueller, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

We have the Oct layer back on the radar. It has evolved into a thick layer of sugary depth hoar at the base of the snowpack. Tomorrow is expected to be a clear and cool day. Great conditions for those longer spring trips.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Good news for the winter fans out there. The warm weather that was expected for tomorrow has been pushed back for a day. Tomorrow will see the cool air remain over us, -15 is the forecasted low for the alpine. Freezing level is expected to be 1300m at midday. No precip and clear skies. Light winds from the north.

Avalanche Summary

Some isolated loose dry avalanches involving the storm snow. Up to sz1 and out of steep terrain.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 15cm of snow fell last night as the cold front moved in. Today's temperatures were cool enough to keep this snow cold an dry. The only exception is low south aspects, these were softening by 1200hrs. The temperature/sun crust that has been building over the last while is widespread below treeline and stretches into the high treeline right now. Today on Tent Ridge we found a hint of the crust at 2300m. A profile at 2350m had a snowpack depth of 145cm with dense snow (1finger) for the top 100cm's. Below this, the snow character immediately turned to a loose mix of depth hoar and facets. We measured a moderate compression test, sudden collapse on this layer.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Each day our confidence in this layer gets a little better. No failure was noted on today's profile. Thin areas however are still a concern. The east side of the Smith Dorrien and the front ranges will have more of a problem with this layer.

Caution around convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 5

Deep Persistent Slabs

Unlike the Feb 10th, confidence with this old layer is starting to fade. Today's pit had loose depth hoar on the bottom and was reactive in tests. Thin snowpack areas are likely trigger points. Warm temps will be a catalyst for this layer to wake up.

Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

4 - 6

Valid until: Apr 13th, 2014 2:00PM