Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 17th, 2017 3:52PM

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

michael.olsthoorn, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

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

Summary

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.

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.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs can be found on lee aspects (N and E) in alpine areas.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.Assess start zones carefully and use safe travel techniques.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

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.

Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could easily trigger deep slabs.Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Apr 18th, 2017 2:00PM