Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 7th, 2013 3:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Storm Slabs, Loose Wet and Cornices.

jeremy.mackenzie, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Fresh storm slabs at treeline and above. A skier triggered avalanche occurred today on Tent Ridge in a wind-loaded feature. Photo on Facebook. Cool temperatures on Monday should keep the crusts "locked up" at lower elevations.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Freezing levels are uncertain

Weather Forecast

Flurries will continue overnight and into tomorrow, but accumulations should be less than 10cm. Winds are expected to be light from the East on Monday and temperatures will be cool.

Avalanche Summary

The past several days have seen wet avalanches (both slab and loose) up to size 2.0, especially at lower elevations. Today a skier accidental slab size 2.0 was triggered in the North Bowl of Tent Ridge. This occurred on a steep E aspect at 2350m and was approximately 50cm deep at its deepest point in a wind loaded feature. There appeared to be at least one partial burial, but we can not confirm this. All parties are accounted for.

Snowpack Summary

9cm of new snow and up to 25cm of recent storm snow on high altitude N aspects with light rain at lower elevations. Storm slabs between 20 and 40cm thick are present in lee and cross-loaded terrain at treeline and above. Otherwise crusts are dominant on all but high elevation N aspects. Cornices remain large and sagging.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm slabs up to 40cm thick are present in lee and cross-loaded features at higher elevations. A size 2.0 skier accidental slab avalanche occurred on Tent Ridge today.

Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.>Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Loose Wet

As crusts melt with solar radiation, daytime heating and/or rain, wet avalanches are occurring. Be especially cautious in areas that have had little or no overnight freeze. Many slides are failing on the ground and involve the entire snowpack.

Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.>Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.>

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 5

Cornices

Cornices are large and sagging. Recent cornice failures have been triggering slabs on the underlying slopes. Be aware of overhead exposure especially during times of intense solar radiation or rain.

Extra caution needed around cornices with current conditions.>

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 5

Valid until: Apr 8th, 2013 2:00PM