Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 5th, 2014 3:00PM

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

matt.mueller, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

The sun is packing a strong punch these days. When it does make an appearance, expect the snow to become unstable. High North aspects still have good skiing.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

The spring weather pattern continues for another day. Starting Monday the temperatures will take a dramatic turn to the warmer side. Until then we'll see freezing levels hover around 1600m, and convective weather moving through areas near the divide. Snow accumulations will be negligible. The winds will continue with a strong pulse tonight in the alpine.

Avalanche Summary

No new observations today

Snowpack Summary

Today's field trip took us to a notoriously thin snowpack area on the east side of the Smith Dorrien Road.. The HS varied from 20-50cm's. At treeline, we found the bottom layers to be very weak and consisted mostly of depth hoar and facets. Above that base layer sits a slab that has lost most of its structure from the freeze/thaw cycles. No whumphing or cracking was observed.Â The day time warming has begun to stabilize all aspects up to 2100m. Any slope that has seen the sun now has a 1-2cm sun crustÂ on top. In other areas in the park, the Feb 10 is down 120-140cm's at treeline with hard shears. The recent winds have created windslabs in open areas at treeline and above. These are not reactive at the moment and expected to bond quickly to the underlying layers. Generally lots of snow settlement in all areas.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Our comfort is getting better with this layer, but steep, treeline areas on a north aspects are still demanding some thought. Assess these slopes carefully and remember that we are in a low probability/high consequence situation.

Caution around convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 5

Wind Slabs

These are still developing, Their location will likely be immediate ridge line at upper treeline and alpine terrain. Crossloaded gully features are also a likely location to trigger these new slabs.

Caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.>

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 6th, 2014 2:00PM