Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Apr 20 – 21, 2019Alberta Parks
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
No rating
Treeline
No rating
Below
No rating
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Highlights

Happy Easter!  The recent snow and winds have built new windslabs in alpine areas.  Solar radiation is forecast to be strong Sunday and Monday so early starts are critical.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Recent snow is building windslabs up to 40cm thick in alpine areas.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Loose wet slabs on all aspects except pure true north alpine.  These loose point releases may trigger a slab on the underlying slope

Confidence

-

Weather Forecast

The remainder of the easter weekend is looking clear and warm with no new precip forecast.  Early starts are key right now and people should be paying close attention to aspects they are on or under as temperatures warm up. 

Avalanche Summary

Loose wet avalanches up to sz 2 have been observed over the past few days on all aspects below treeline.  Some loose wet have also triggered wet slabs on the underlying slopes.  This is largely due to poor quality of overnight freezes and periods of light rain. 

Snowpack Summary

Snow and strong winds over the past week are keeping windslabs 30-40cm thick a problem in alpine areas.  At treeline and below, the snowpack is generally a moist spring snowpack with its strength largely dependent upon aspect, quality of overnight freeze, day time temperature and issues associated with rapid loading from rain and or new snow.  Place close attention to all of these key aspects when making your a decision and remember, you can always back off and come back another day...or season.  Best skiing is being found on sheltered north aspects where the snowpack is still dry. 

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