Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Kananaskis.
An active storm is moving in. Weather models don't agree on snowfall amounts, more snow will equal greater danger ratings.
Confidence
Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the timing of the incoming weather system.
Weather Forecast
A little bit of a storm is coming our way.Â
Tuesday: 20cm of snow is possible, Day time highs around -3 and light winds out of the SW.
The tail end of the storm temps will drop down to -10.
Its time to start thinking more about freezing levels this time of the year, Tuesday will be around 1700m The spray road is at around 1850m
Avalanche Summary
A road patrol today had limited visibility. Not much new snow at highways levels
Snowpack Summary
Although we are seeing new snow at our weather stations, It is settling just as fast as it is falling with these warm temps. Steady SW winds continue and are redistributing snow in lee and cross loaded features in the Alpine and TL. The Feb 19 layer which is a crust on solar aspects and a hard wind slab on the other aspects is now down about 50-80cm. Take the time to dig and evaluate all of these layers. Â
Terrain and Travel
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and wind exposure.
- Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
- Be carefull with sluffing in steep terrain, especially above cliffs and terrain traps.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Continuing snow, wind and warm temps will continue to build wind slabs treeline and above.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5
Persistent Slabs
Carefully evaluate the bond with the Feb 19th crust down 50 to 80cm. Recent wind loading will make this problem more reactive, as will periods of intense solar input.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5