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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 20th, 2018–Apr 21st, 2018

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Kananaskis.

We are expecting some snow tomorrow. How much remains to be seen, as forecasts vary. On a different note, cornices are proving to be an issue with triggering the deep basal layers. Limit exposure to cornice threatened slopes.

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Weather Forecast

Alpine lows will only be -3C tonight. If the forecasted flurries arrive overnight, the surface re-freeze may be minimal. Tomorrow will see more flurries, giving 6cm. The freezing level will rise to 2000m as the front plays through. We may see wet flurries, or even rain/drizzle at lower elevations. Winds will also increase to 65km/hr tomorrow. A daytime high of -3C.

Avalanche Summary

A few loose wet avalanches were witnessed during the hottest part of the day (2pm).

Snowpack Summary

Most areas have a thin surface crust from yesterday's sun. The high alpine and steep north aspects are the only areas that don't have some sort of crust issue. By midday, these crusts were breaking down as soon as they saw a few minutes of sun. Expect these crusts to refreeze tonight. Cornices remain a worry as they are widespread, and large!

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.