Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Apr 6 – 7, 2013Alberta Parks
View on map
Archived · expired 13 years ago

Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
Open full map

Highlights

Concern remains for instabilities related to the effects of solar radiation, warm daytime temperatures and rain at lower elevations. Also, watch for thin storm slabs in the alpine.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–5
    Cornices are large and sagging. Cornice failures have triggered slabs on the underlying slopes in the two weeks. Be aware of overhead exposure especially during times of intense solar radiation or rain.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–3
    Thin storm slabs are present in lee and cross-loaded features at higher elevations. The bond with the underlying layer is highly variable.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–5
    As crusts melt with solar radiation, daytime heating and/or rain, wet avalanches are occurring. Be especially cautious in areas that have had little or no overnight freeze. Many slides are failing on the ground and involve the entire snowpack.

Confidence

Fair - Freezing levels are uncertain

Weather Forecast

Light flurries/rain showers will taper off Saturday night adding only a few cm's of new snow up high. Sunday may begin with a brief sunny period and then unsettled convective flurries are expected with no significant accumulations. Freezing levels on Sunday will be near 1800m, but cloudy conditions overnight Saturday will prevent a strong freeze.

Avalanche Summary

Very limited observations, but nothing new to report.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 15cm of recent snow at higher elevations has formed soft slabs in lee and cross-loaded terrain. Crusts remain widespread and vary considerably in thickness depending on aspect and elevation. Poor to little overnight recovery at lower elevations.

Regions covered