Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Apr 19 – 20, 2014Alberta Parks
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Archived · expired 12 years ago

Avalanche danger

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

Sunday should be a bit cooler, but pay attention to the temperatures and radiation. Start early and finish early! Mon and Tues will see a spike in hazard due to very high freezing levels both days and rain to mountain top on Tuesday.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    Thin wind slabs are found in the immediate lees of ridgelines. These slabs are generally not bonding well to the crusts underneath.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Solar triggered avalanches are occurring on SE through W aspects with regularity. Warming is also a concern on all aspects at lower elevations.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    3–6
    As temperatures warm through the day and solar radiation increases, the basal weak layers are becoming reactive. Full depth avalanches have been observed in recent days, some of which have been triggered by cornice failures.

Confidence

Good - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Sunday should bring a slightly cooler day with gusty west winds and freezing levels near 1900 metres. Monday will be hot with freezing levels climbing to 3000 metres. Tuesday may bring some rain and freezing levels near 3000 metres.

Avalanche Summary

A few naturally triggered and cornice triggered slides have been observed today. Theses avalanches ranged in size from 1.5 to 2.5 and were all associated with the warming trend or solar radiation. All of the avalanches observed today stepped to the basal facets and went full depth.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 10cm of snow fell overnight, but this quickly settled through the day due to warm temperatures. Crusts are melting during the day and re-forming each night, except on North aspects at higher elevations. Thin wind slabs can be found in the immediate lees of ridgelines at higher elevations. The basal facets and depth hoar are a concern when the temperatures rise and the solar radiation is strong. There is potential for large full depth avalanches due to this basal weakness.

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