Avalanche Forecast
Kananaskis Country, Alberta Parks
Spring has sprung! The snowpack is now considered to be in "spring conditions". This means it will swing from low avalanche hazard in the morning to high avalanche hazard as the snowpack warms. Starting early is critical to safe mountain travel.
Avalanche Problem 1: Loose Wet
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- If triggered the loose wet sluffs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Avalanche Problem 2: Cornices
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
This year's crop is the biggest in recent memory. Give them lots of respect, regardless if it sunny or not. Avoid being under, or on top of them.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could easily trigger persistent slabs.
- Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.
Avalanche Summary
Nothing new today.
Snowpack Summary
The forecasted storm lacked the punch we were expecting. Crusts and cornices are the main concern at the moment, and for the rest of the spring. Any new snow that does come in will sit on a crust and will be reactive for a day or two after the snow. As we move through spring, temperatures largely dictate the snow stability and avalanche hazard. Once the frozen snowpack warms up and melts, hazard will rapidly increase. Future storms will certainly offer more snow, but these will only pose short term concerns immediately after, or during the storm.
Weather Forecast
The next week we will settle into a spring weather pattern. Warm days and cool nights will put the snowpack through a daily freeze/thaw cycle.
Avalanche Forecasts in your Inbox
Avalanche Canada has switched to an RSS feed for its daily forecasts. This is a much more flexible method that allows automatic delivery to your email inbox, or to an RSS reader of your choice.
What are RSS feeds?
RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is a popular standardized file format allowing up-to-date delivery of web-based content. RSS feeds enable you to receive content updates from websites, delivered to your email through an RSS aggregator (such as blogtrottr.com) or viewed through applications called RSS readers (such as feedly.com).
Set up an RSS feed for your email:
Select a RSS aggregator
- Kananaskis Country, Alberta Parks URL:
http://www.avalanche.ca/api/forecasts/kananaskis.rss - Copy the url and paste it into the appropriate field of your RSS aggregator.
- Fill in your email address.
- Voila! Watch the Avalanche Canada forecast roll into your inbox.
Forecast Disclaimer
Avalanche Canada's Public Avalanche Bulletin, and other information and services provided by Avalanche Canada, are intended for personal and recreational purposes only.
**THIS INFORMATION IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND IN NO EVENT SHALL THE PROVIDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES RESULTING FROM DISCOMFORT, INJURY, OR DEATH, CLAIMS BY THIRD PARTIES OR FOR OTHER SIMILAR COSTS, OR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF THE INFORMATION.**
The user acknowledges that it is impossible to accurately predict natural events such as avalanches in every instance, and uses the data in this bulletin with this always foremost in mind. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and the Providers disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use the data.
Sun, warm temps and rain will contribute to loose wet avalanche. Avoid avalanche terrain when any of those conditions exist.