Avalog Join
Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Apr 11th, 2023–Apr 12th, 2023
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high
Below Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be high
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

A massive natural avalanche cycle has happened in Kananaskis. It's a good time to stay away from any avalanche terrain as these avalanches have ran full path.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A wide spread avalanche cycle to Sz 3.5 noted today on a road patrol along the spray. Almost every avalanche path has ran full path, along with some fresh timber being torn out along trim lines. Most avalanches started as dry snow up high and as it gained mass and lost elevation started to gouge to ground and became wet.

Snowpack Summary

20-30cm of wet storm snow now sits atop a rain soaked snowpack up to 2200m. Previous wind has created widespread wind slabs at upper elevations. Persistent weak layers down 20 to 80cm are still a concern and these have produced sporadic avalanche activity over the past week. And of course, who could forget about the November facets/depth hoar! Alive and well, this deep persistent problem is likely to become active with the incoming rain, warm temperatures and possibly heavy accumulations at upper elevations..

Weather Summary

Tuesday night will see more flurries and a low of -11.

Wednesday the storm continues with a forecasted additional 22cm of snow and day time highs of -8. light east winds. Freezing levels will slightly drop to 1600m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches to run full path or even longer.
  • In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.
  • Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Avalanche Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Rain at lower elevations and heavy snow at upper elevations have woken up this layer. Avoid avalanche terrain,

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 2 - 3.5

Loose Wet

The severity of this problem will solely rely on the quality of the freeze overnight.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Below Treeline.

Likelihood: Very Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

Numerous layers in the upper snowpack have produced naturally triggered avalanches. Layers of concern exist down 20 to 80cm. The incoming storm has overloaded these layers

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5