Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Apr 21 – 22, 2018Alberta Parks
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Archived · expired 8 years ago

Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Spring has sprung! The snowpack is now considered to be in "spring conditions". This means it will swing from low avalanche hazard in the morning to high avalanche hazard as the snowpack warms. Starting early is critical to safe mountain travel.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1.5–3
    This year's crop is the biggest in recent memory. Give them lots of respect, regardless if it sunny or not. Avoid being under, or on top of them.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2.5
    Sun, warm temps and rain will contribute to loose wet avalanche. Avoid avalanche terrain when any of those conditions exist.

Confidence

-

Weather Forecast

The next week we will settle into a spring weather pattern. Warm days and cool nights will put the snowpack through a daily freeze/thaw cycle.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new today.

Snowpack Summary

The forecasted storm lacked the punch we were expecting. Crusts and cornices are the main concern at the moment, and for the rest of the spring. Any new snow that does come in will sit on a crust and will be reactive for a day or two after the snow. As we move through spring, temperatures largely dictate the snow stability and avalanche hazard. Once the frozen snowpack warms up and melts, hazard will rapidly increase.  Future storms will certainly offer more snow, but these will only pose short term concerns immediately after, or during the storm.

Regions covered