Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Apr 2 – 3, 2016Alberta Parks
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
4 · High
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Highlights

Warm temps and poor overnight freezes are causing what will likely be the last major avalanche cycle of the season.  Start early and be done early and be thinking about aspect and time of day. Good Climbing right now!!!

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    3–6
    Cornices are large and drooping. When they fail, they have enough mass to wake up the deep basal layers. These events have been occurring.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Widespread loose wet slides on all aspects and all elevations up to sz 1.5

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    3–6
    A few deep full depth avalanches were observed on saturday on all aspects and at treeline and in the alpine.

Weather Forecast

Sunday will be much like Saturday!  Clear skies, warm temps and light winds out of the SW.  Freezing levels will be around 2600m again so pay close attention to the quality of the overnight freeze.  Avalanche danger will trend again from Mod/Low in the cool times of the day to HIGH in the heat of the day.  START EARLY and dont be near anywhere south facing or under anything south facing later in the day.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous loose wet avalanches on all aspects except including pure north alpine. A few other deep persistent avalanches up to sz 3 were also noted fail on ground. Some are running full path taking out mature timber at the end of the runouts.

Snowpack Summary

Widespread crusts can be found on all aspects except for true north above 2400m. These crusts on south aspects are up to 20cm thick and fully supportive. As temperatures warm up during the day, these crusts are breaking down, loose wet avalanches begin to occur and as the heat penetrates deeper into the snowpack, deep slab avalanches become likely. There is a brief window between the two wherein there is good corn snow skiing but your timing has ton be bang on. Lower elevations are turning into a full on isothermal snowpack.

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