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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 21st, 2022–Apr 22nd, 2022

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

Regions

Kananaskis.

Snow forecast to arrive late in the day on Friday. If the snow falls as rain at lower elevations expect the danger to be increased up to the freezing level. Pay close attention to snow amounts and temperatures. Soon forecasters will be changing the danger ratings to "spring"   

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the timing of the incoming weather system.

Weather Forecast

Winter returns on friday with 15-20cm of snow forecast throughout the day (the bulk of this is forecast to come in the PM). We suspect that this will be via convective flurries so amounts may be variable, pay close attention. The freezing level will again be around 2200m so pay close attention to what happens if the forecasted precip comes as rain at lower elevations. The sun also packs a big punch when it comes out so keep an eye on overhead cloud cover. 

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity was observed on Thursday. 

Snowpack Summary

The recent snow that has fallen is rapidly settling under the influence of the warmer temperatures. Storm slabs and wind slabs were noted along ridgelines down 20-30cm that were failing in the easy range. These slabs do not extend far downslope though. Where these slabs are the most reactive is in areas where they are overlying a melt freeze crust. Essentially this is all aspects except true north. Moist snow was also encountered thursday on aspects up to 2200m.  

Terrain and Travel

  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
  • Keep in mind the crust offers an excellent bed surface for avalanches.

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.

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.