Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 10th, 2024–Apr 11th, 2024

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Kananaskis, Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, North 40, Spray - KLakes.

We are approaching Spring like conditions. This means start early and finish early with your adventures. Check out what Spring conditions is all about at: https://avalanche.ca/spring-conditions

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed or reported today.

Snowpack Summary

Crusts are found on all aspects below 2400m, and higher on solar aspects. Wind slabs are found in alpine areas along ridgelines and in lee and cross-loaded features. Below treeline has turned into a Spring snowpack with a solid crust when it is cold and moist snow on solar aspects. Be aware of wet loose avalanches on solar aspects later in the day.

An important thing to consider at this time of year is the quality of the freeze overnight. Avalanche danger can change from low in the cool mornings to high in the hot afternoons. The timing of this change is important to monitor so plan you trips with these factors in mind.

Weather Summary

Thursday morning will start off cool at -7c and then the alpine should warm up to +1c. Skies will be a mix of sun and cloud. Solar aspects can feel much warmer this time of year when the sun comes out.

Freezing levels to rise to 2200m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

The more the snowpack warms-up and weakens, the more conservative you`ll want to be with your terrain selection.
Avoid thin areas like rock outcroppings where you're most likely to trigger avalanches failing on deep weak layers.
Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.