Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 12th, 2017 3:00PM

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

jeremy.mackenzie, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Hazard levels may be higher if solar radiation or freezing levels are higher than forecasted. The snowpack is still not in full "spring" mode. Despite the MODERATE rating, forecasters continue to treat large Alpine features conservatively.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Thursday should be cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Winds will be out of the SW at 25 km/h gusting to 50 km/h. The freezing level will reach 2200m, and during any sunny breaks the solar radiation will be intense. Convective flurries with sunny breaks should continue into the weekend.

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches were observed or reported today, but observations were very limited.

Snowpack Summary

Between 0 and 5cm of new snow at Treeline in the past 25hrs. Isolated pockets of wind slab have been observed in the Alpine on lee and cross-loaded terrain features. The snowpack is settling with the recent warm temperatures. Buried crust are found on all aspects up to 2300m, with numerous layers of crust on solar aspects up to at least 2700m. Moist snow at lower elevations by mid-afternoon. Basal layers remain weak and are still a concern in larger terrain features.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Thin wind slabs are found in the Alpine, and these may now be on all aspects due to recent reverse wind loading.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Keep an eye out for reverse loading created by an upslope storm.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

Loading on this layer continues as the flurries and squalls pass through. Alpine areas that have not seen the warmth yet are the most suspect. Human-triggering from shallow snowpack areas is also a concern.

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

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Loose Wet

Any sunny breaks will bring intense solar radiation. Be cautious of the terrain you are on or under when these conditions are present.

Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.Avoid slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if they have large cornices overhead.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 13th, 2017 2:00PM