Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 15th, 2014 8:18AM

The alpine rating is low, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.

jeremy.mackenzie, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Be aware of daytime heating and solar radiation that will cause a rapid increase in danger levels. It is Spring - start early and finish early. Small amounts of new snow in the next couple of days should do little to change the Danger Ratings.

Summary

Confidence

Good - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Spring time weather patterns are bringing a mix of sunny skies and convective flurries. Temperatures are near -7 on Wednesday with somewhere between 5 and 10cm of new snow in the next 24 to 36hrs. Winds will be moderate from the West. The rest of the week will see occasional light flurries and generally cloudy skies.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new reported or observed, but observations have been very limited that last two days.

Snowpack Summary

Spring time conditions dominate the snowpack with thick crusts on all aspects below 2200m and on solar aspects to mountain top. Sheltered North aspects at high elevations hold dry snow. The Feb 10th persistent weak layer and the basal facets could awaken during times of intense solar radiation and/or daytime heating.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Be wary of this week layer in thinner snowpack areas, especially during times of intense solar radiation and/or warming.

Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.>Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 5

Deep Persistent Slabs

The basal facets and depth hoar will likely become more of a concern as spring continues. As the snowpack warms up, full depth avalanches are possible. Start your trip early to avoid exposure to large terrain features later in the day.

Minimize exposure to sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.>Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

4 - 6

Valid until: Apr 16th, 2014 2:00PM