Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 9th, 2017 3:00PM

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

Alberta Parks mike.koppang, Alberta Parks

Freezing levels are important at this time of year as well as input from solar radiation.  Danger levels will increase quickly with input from the sun or rising temps.  Pay attention.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Freezing levels are uncertain on Monday

Weather Forecast

A few more cm of snow may fall overnight and then the flurries are forecast to end.  Forecasts are calling for cool temps overngiht so we can expect there to be a good freeze overngiht.  If there isnt a good freeze, danger levels may be higher than forecast on so pay attention to the quality of the freeze.  monday may also see some sunny breaks so pay close attention to solar aspects if the sun comes out.  These areas will quickly loose stability once the sun hits these slopes.

Avalanche Summary

A few loose dry avalanches from the alpine in steep unskiable terrain up to sz 2.

Snowpack Summary

10-15cm of snow over the past 24hr from convective flurries.  On solar aspects there are a few different crusts in the upper snowpack down 10-30cm as a result of the warm temperatures.  These crusts can be found up to 2700m on solar aspects and 2100m and below on all aspects.  On more northern aspects the recent snow has seen some isolated wind affect along ridgelines in the alpine but generally, the winds have been light.  Watch for isoalted windslabs along ridgelines.  Deep down the basal facets are still lurking producing moderate sudden collapse sheers.  Despite it starting to look like spring, the snowpack in the alpine is still very much winter like.  Remember any slope that hasnt released still has the potential to run on these basal facets resulting in a large avalanche. 

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs
Renew your respect for this layer as the new loading ramps up. We are unsure of how it will handle any additional load. Alpine wind loading and cornice failure is particularly concerning.
Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could easily trigger deep slabs.Be wary of slopes that did not previously avalanche.Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Winds are building isolated windslabs in alpine terrain along ridgelines and crossloaded features. 
Approach steep lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 10th, 2017 2:00PM