Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 4th, 2017–Mar 5th, 2017

Alpine

4: High

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Kananaskis.

Snow and wind are increasing the hazard. Careful route selection is recommended.

Confidence

Weather Forecast

An additional 10cm snow is forecast Saturday night with moderate winds. On Sunday, light snow and ridge tops winds of 15km/h with gust up to 40 km/h. Alpine temperatures are expected to be -9c.

Avalanche Summary

Very limited observations due to poor visibility. We are expecting some loose/dry and slab avalanches associated with these conditions.

Snowpack Summary

We have had up to 50cm of snow in the alpine in the last few days. Wind associated with this snowfall is creating storm slabs in the alpine and open areas (in places, these wind slabs may be buried). Cross loaded features and lee pockets can have significantly more snow creating even deeper storm slabs. Cornices are growing and have the potential to wake up deeper layers if they break off. Human triggered avalanches are very likely right now. Sheltered and non-exposed areas can provide good skiing.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

We're using wind slabs as a catch all term at the moment. Storm slabs are out there from the new snow and continuing winds , as are the deeper buried windslabs from last week. Storm slabs are in immediate lees, and the wind slabs are more widespread.

Avoid steep lee and cross-loaded slopesAvoid freshly wind loaded features.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

Additional load will increase the chance of this layer waking up.

Be aware of the potential for wide propagations.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

Similar to the persistent problem above, the new load may make this layer "touchier". Another consideration is a smaller avalanche triggering the deeper layers.

Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could easily trigger the deep persistent slab.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 4