Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 12th, 2019 3:00PM

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

jeremy.mackenzie, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Conservative terrain selection is in order. Stick to low angle slopes and avoid terrain traps.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

10 to 15cm of snow is expected to fall Tuesday evening with light winds. Wednesday will be mostly cloudy with very light flurries and temperatures near -7 at ridge-top.

Avalanche Summary

A small natural avalanche cycle has occurred over the past 24 to 36 hours with thin wind slabs up to size 2.0 failing on all aspects in steeper terrain in the Alpine and Treeline elevation bands.

Snowpack Summary

There are wind slabs everywhere at all elevation on all aspects, except the most protected of terrain below treeline. Thin sun crusts have formed on solar aspects. The prolonged period of frigid temperatures has heavily faceted the snowpack, and there is no little strength to the midpack in most areas. Ski quality is poor in most areas. 10 to 15cm of new snow Tuesday evening will hopefully improve the snowpack, but probably won't be enough to lead to any significant changes from an avalanche perspective.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs are everywhere. They will be most sensitive to triggering in steep and unsupported terrain.

Caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

What will wake up this layer? A skier/rider in a thin shallow snowpack area? Warmer temps with some solar radiation? A cornice failure? This layer deserves respect as any resulting avalanche will be full depth.

Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.Be aware of the potential for wide propagations due to the presence of hard windslabs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Loose Dry

Up to 15cm of snow is in the forecast. This could lead to sluffing in steep terrain. Also beware of entrainment of the weak facets in terrain traps such as gullies.

Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.Use caution above ledges and cliffs where small avalanches may have severe consequences.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 13th, 2019 2:00PM