Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 20th, 2013 9:03AM

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

Alberta Parks mike.koppang, Alberta Parks

Conflicting weather forecasts may make the hazard go up in some areas due to higher than expected snowfall amounts. Be aware of changing conditions and plan accordingly. MM

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather is uncertain on Sunday

Weather Forecast

Despite the Environment Canada forecast, we are only expecting light amounts near the divide in the next 24 hours. The question will be how much we get from the convective activity that is ongoing. Winds are forecasted to die off overnight and become variable in direction. Freezing levels will steadily drop over the next 24 hours as well.

Avalanche Summary

A few small pockets of windslab were seen from the last couple of days and some larger wet loose avalanches are still visible from awhile ago.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 10cms today with the convective flurries. Storm slabs were thin and sporadic, but reactive to ski cuts. With the forecasted precip and winds, these could be an issue in the wrong area (terrain traps). Below that isolated pockets of  buried, reactive windslab exist in the ALP. For the most part these seem to be difficult to trigger. Compression tests today only gave hard results with non planar breaks.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs
Today these were found in specific areas that were crossloaded and near ridges. At the moment these are small avalanches. If more snow arrives they will build quickly and become more of a problem. Be aware of terrain traps.
Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.>Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.>

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Wind slabs are present in the alpine on lee and cross-loaded features. Isolated thin slabs are also found on South aspects due to recent Northerly winds. Carefully evaluate the bond between these slabs and the crusts beneath.
Carefully evaluate and use caution around thin snowpack areas.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Apr 21st, 2013 2:00PM