Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 27th, 2014 8:06AM

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

matt.mueller, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Our trademark winds still haven't shown up. The wind's arrival will determine the avalanche hazard in either direction. Be aware of changing conditions, and watch for wind transported snow.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Wind effect is extremely variable

Weather Forecast

Light snow is expected overnight. Amounts do not appear to be significant, only 5cm of low density convective snow. Tomorrow's skies will be thin overcast, so we can expect there to be quite a bit of solar radiation. The temperatures will stay cool at -8 in the alpine. The winds will make an appearance tonight and rise to moderate levels. Our forecast shows 50km/r at 3000m as of tomorrow morning.

Avalanche Summary

Lots of sluffing out of very steep terrain in the alpine. For the most part, these did not run very far, or gain much mass. There was some limited avalanche activity on the windslab interface in the alpine. A few avalanches were noted on East aspects out of thin snowpack areas. A large size 2 was the biggest.

Snowpack Summary

Flurries throughout the day added to the new snow from the week. The totals now add up to 50cm's at treeline. We are still waiting for the winds to redistribute it. In the meantime the surface snow is still free of windslabs. There was some sluffing within the new snow, however this was limited to very steep terrain in the alpine. The crusts from a couple of days ago are now down 15cm's at treeline. The solar radiation has bonded those layers. The windslabs are down 50-60 and are also bonding well at treeline. The Feb 10th is down 130-140.

Problems

Storm Slabs

These slabs are very soft at the moment, but that will change with the expected wind overnight. Immediate lee areas are concerning at the moment, but as the winds increase these slabs may also develop well below ridge lines.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>Choose well supported terrain without convexities.>Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

We have seen enough activity on this layer recently to keep it as a major concern in bigger terrain. Thin coverage areas are a likely trigger point, as are large triggers (ie cornice).

Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches.>Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 5

Wind Slabs

This layer is sandwiched between the new storm slabs and the Feb 10th. Not a lot of action with these windslabs lately, but the potential is still there. Steep rolls at treeline are a likely area to find them.

Choose well supported terrain without convexities.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Mar 28th, 2014 2:00PM