Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 13th, 2017 3:00PM

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

matt.mueller, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

We are expecting a slight cooling trend that will tighten up the snowpack over the next few days. Good snow can still be found on north aspects.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

A few flurries overnight with increasing winds. Tomorrow is expected to be cloudy with a few sunny breaks during the day. Expect strong solar effect due to the thin could. The high temp will be -7, but it will feel much warmer. The ridge winds will rise to 55km/hr from the west. Freezing level will be 1800m.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new was noted today.

Snowpack Summary

Another 5-10 cm last night and this morning. By mid morning it was already moist below treeline, and by mid day it was moist up to 2200m on all aspects. The underlying crusts are evident on all aspects up to 2100m. By 2200m they are more prevalent on solar aspects. In terms of thickness, below treeline has a 30-40cm crust and the treeline crust is 5-15cm depending on aspect. The weak basal layers are still found with probing and are as widespread as always. The heat really hasn't had much affect in the alpine in terms of stabilizing the mid to lower layers.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

We are not entirely free from this layer yet. It is still down there and more suspect in thin areas, cold areas that haven't seen a warming cycle and large terrain that hasn't avalanched yet.

Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could easily trigger deep slabs.Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Apr 14th, 2017 2:00PM