Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 11th, 2019 3:00PM

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

Alberta Parks matt.mueller, Alberta Parks

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Changes within the snowpack are swift these days. Temperature spikes will cause an almost immediate decrease in snow stability.

Summary

Confidence

-

Weather Forecast

Spring weather is typically unsettled with frequent, and sometimes dramatic weather changes. In the next while, we are expecting some new snow, but amounts vary. With warm temps, this snow will settle rapidly. Timing will be everything if good turns are the goal. Winds will be light and temps will be around zero for the next few days.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new from the past few days.

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack varies in its stability depending on the day time high, quality of freeze overnight, aspect and influx of new load from snow or rain. In general, as temperatures warm up, stability will decrease. These decreases will be most apparent on solar aspects where the radiation is strong. Cornices could become weak and prone to failure. The timing on this decrease will vary but can be affected by overnight freeze and aspect. Poor freezes mean avalanche danger will increase quickly with warming. Northern aspects are still holding some dry snow at upper elevations but expect a battle up and down from there. The deep persistent weak facets will be with us until the snow is gone. Be sure to asses this layer as you travel. Some good corn is out there if you can get the timing right!! Start early and be home early and avoid the heat of the day.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs
Large triggers could possibly get the layer moving.
Be aware of the potential for wide propagations due to the presence of hard windslabs.Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
These may become an issue if we get more snow than anticipated. They could rest on a crust, and if so they'll be more sensitive.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 12th, 2019 2:00PM