Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Apr 21 – 22, 2014Alberta Parks
View on map
Archived · expired 12 years ago

Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
Open full map

Highlights

Weather forecasts are uncertain, but Tues could produce a spring avalanche cycle due to very warm temperatures, a poor freeze Mon night, periods of sun and periods of rain. Avoid avalanche terrain when the snowpack is warm and avoid overhead hazard.

Avalanche problems

  • Wet Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    1–5
    Extremely high freezing levels on Tuesday coupled with periods of solar radiation will likely result in wet slab and loose wet avalanches. The snowpack could deteriorate early in the day as it is not expected to freeze well overnight.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–6
    Spring conditions have awakened the basal weak layers. Full depth avalanches are possible when the temperature is warm and/or the solar heating is intense. Be aware of overhead terrain.

Confidence

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

Weather Forecast

Tuesday is expected to be warm with sunny patches and a chance of light rain showers. The snowpack is not expected to get a good freeze tonight, and freezing levels on Tuesday could climb to 3000 metres. Winds are forecasted to gust up to 50km/h from the SW. Wednesday should be significantly cooler with a mix of sun and cloud and a high of -4 degrees in the Alpine.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new reported or observed.

Snowpack Summary

Spring conditions. The snowpack is settling and grass is beginning to show at lower elevations. Surface crusts are melting during the day and then re-forming at night. The snowpack has gone isothermal at lower elevations on the warmer days and crusts are found to at least as high as 2500 metres on North aspects and much higher on solar aspects. Where cornices exist they are large and sagging.

Regions covered