Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 24th, 2012 4:00PM

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

jeremy.mackenzie, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

With not much of a freeze overnight isothermal snowpack conditions will persist, especially at lower elevations. Rain up to mountain top is expected on Thursday. Avoid large and committing terrain until good spring-time conditions return.

Summary

Confidence

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

Weather Forecast

Temperatures will remain warm overnight and not much of a freeze is expected. SW winds will slowly diminish through the day. A pulse of precipitation is expected Thursday with rain as high as 2900m.

Avalanche Summary

Snowpack Summary

Problems

Loose Wet

Crusts are breaking down each day as the temperature warms up. Decreases in stability will first appear on solar aspects then spread to all aspects as temperatures climb. Keep an eye on overhead terrain that is already in the sun.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Cornices

Cornices are sagging in the current heat wave. Cornice failures could be large enough triggers to activate the deep weak layers in the snowpack.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 5

Deep Persistent Slabs

Warm days may re-awaken some of the deeply buried weak layers lingering at the base of the snowpack. There has been no recent activity on this layer but that could change will the continued warm temperatures and rain in the forecast.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

4 - 7

Valid until: Apr 25th, 2012 9:00AM