Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Apr 17 – 18, 2017Alberta Parks
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Archived · expired 9 years ago

Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Strong solar radiation can destabilize the snowpack rapidly.  Do not linger under large slopes or under cornices.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Wind slabs can be found on lee aspects (N and E) in alpine areas.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–3
    We are not entirely free from this layer yet. It is still down there and more suspect in thin areas, cold areas that haven't seen a warming cycle and large terrain that hasn't avalanched yet. 

Snowpack Summary

Expect widespread crusts on aspects up to 2200m and on solar aspects up to 2700m.  Moist snow can be found mid day on solar aspects. Wind slabs can be encountered in Alpine terrain or North through East aspects.  100-140cm of settled snow is overlying the weak basal facets. Moderate to hard sheers persist in these basal facets and are sudden collapse in nature. There is no hint of the snowpack starting to go isothermal in most areas.

Confidence

-

Weather Forecast

Tuesday is calling for a mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries (typical spring weather).  Alpine temperatures are expected to reach a high of -3c with a freezing level of 2300m.  Ridge winds are to be from the west at 25-35km/h.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported on Monday.

Regions covered