Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 10th, 2016 3:00PM

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

mike.koppang, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Strong winds, warm temps are new snow have created new windslabs in alpine areas. Recent avalanche activity indicates that these slabs have the potential for triggering by light loads such as a person. Use caution and keep an eye on overhead terrain.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Friday

Weather Forecast

Convective flurries are forecast to continue overnight. Winds will continue out of the SW in the strong range with temperatures in the alpine midday on Friday around -2. Friday the day is forecast to start out clear and then have clouds build in throughout the day. Freezing levels will be around 1900m

Avalanche Summary

A few new slabs up too sz 2.5 out of alpine terrain on East aspects were observed. The common theme of these avalanches was crossloaded terrain. There was also numerous loose dry avalanches up to sz 1.5 out of steep unskiable terrain.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 25cm of recent storm snow has fallen over the past 36hrs above 2300m. Snowfall amounts rapidly taper as you decrease elevation with only 5cm of snow being observed at lower elevations. The 0307 Crust is being found down 20cm at 2200m and the bond with the underlying snow is so far good. Strong winds at upper elevations on Thursday have created new winsdslabs in the upper snowpack that are reactive to skier traffic in wind affected areas.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Widespread in Alpine areas and more isolated at TL areas.

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

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Deep Persistent Slabs

Large avalanches being triggerred from thin snowpack areas have occurred over the past week. Be cautious in wind affected and variable terrain.

Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>Carefully evaluate and use caution around thin snowpack areas.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 5

Cornices

Cornices have been growing over the past few days. If they fail, they have enough mass to trigger a slab avalanche on the underlying slopes.

Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices.>Cornices become weak with daytime heating. >

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Mar 11th, 2016 2:00PM