Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 26th, 2014 3:00PM

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

mike.koppang, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

A few more cm of snow will fall overnight. Watch for the sun coming out as solar radiation will rapidly decrease stability especially on solar aspects. One large avalanche was observed on saturday. Click details for more information.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Conditions will remain cool overnight and we can expect about 5cm of new snow throughout the night. Freezing levels will be around 1800-2000m.Â The forecast is calling for a mix of sun and cloud so expect stability to decrease when the sun comes out.

Avalanche Summary

There were a few small loose wet slides and one larger sz 3 avalanche on a SE aspect on commonwealth ridge.Â This slide was likely triggerred by solar radiation but it failed in the basal facets and ran full path the the end of its historical runout.Â Photo

Snowpack Summary

A few new cm of snow fell overnight on Friday and throughout the day on Saturday.Â This snow is overlying a thick melt freeze crust and there are isolated windslabs in alpine areas. Lower elevations are isothermal later in the day (or earlier if the freeze is poor) and the only dry snow you will be able to find is on sheltered north aspects.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

The basal facets are producing large slab avalanches that are failing on the basal facets.

Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.>Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices.>Make your travel plans to take advantage of overnight freezing.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

3 - 6

Valid until: Apr 27th, 2014 2:00PM