Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 8th, 2017 3:00PM

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

matt.mueller, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

New snow is expected for tonight & tomorrow. Even so, watch for a "greenhouse" effect with the variable cloud cover. This solar input could rapidly destabilize the snow.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Scattered flurries tonight with up to 9cm expected. Tomorrow will see another 11cm hopefully. Alpine winds will be light for the next 24hours. Tomorrow's freezing levels will creep up to 1900m with mostly cloud cover. The cooling trend will continue for the next few days.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new today (as of 1300hrs), but loose wet avalanches were likely at low elevations or steep solar slopes later in the day.

Snowpack Summary

Last night saw up to 7cm of new snow across the forecast region. Higher temperatures than expected today quickly settled that new snow. In general, the snowpack lost 2cm in height, but lower elevations likely lost more than that. Late afternoon heat made for moist snow up to 2300m, and higher on solar aspects. Despite the warm weather, snow was wind blown in the alpine. Pockets of windslabs will continue to grow as the winds keep up. The new slabs will be somewhat random in terms of aspect and location. Winds appeared to be variable. A few cornice collapses were noted today with cornice growth ongoing.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Renew your respect for this layer as the new loading ramps up. We are unsure of how it will handle any additional load. Alpine wind loading and cornice failure is particularly concerning.

Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.Be wary of slopes that did not previously avalanche.Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could easily trigger deep slabs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Loose Wet

Cloud cover and cooler temps should keep this problem to a minimum. If the sun makes an appearance, even for a few minutes, expect a rapid melting of any snow. Steep solar slopes below treeline are the most susceptible to loose wet slides.

Use extra caution on solar slopes or if the snow is moist or wet.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

Expect to encounter these slabs along ridgelines and in crossloaded features in Alpine terrain.

Approach steep lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 9th, 2017 2:00PM