Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 26th, 2015–Mar 27th, 2015

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Kananaskis.

The warm temps will be with us until Saturday evening. Wet, heavy snow will make most snow sports challenging.

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Freezing levels will stay above 2000m tonight with strong ridge top winds. Tomorrow will see freezing levels bump up to 2700m. The projected high at 2500m is 4 degrees. Winds will remain strong from the west.

Avalanche Summary

Limited observations today. Its suspected that there was an isolated loose wet cycle late this afternoon at treeline and below.

Snowpack Summary

Nearly double digit temps have turned the snowpack isothermal at elevation up to 2100m. Above that we have a moist layer resting on a variety of surfaces including old crusts and windslabs. The alpine has windslabs lingering in isolated areas. Polar aspects are more susceptible to the windslab problem These slabs are bonding quickly with the warm weather and high freezing levels.

Avalanche Problems

Loose Wet

Extended warm temps and high solar radiation will promote a loose wet cycle on all aspects. Loose wet avalanches may be a trigger for deeper slabs.

Be very cautious with gully features.>Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.>Avoid steep Southerly aspects.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Wind Slabs

As the warm temperatures continue, the chances of wet slabs increase on solar aspects.

Avoid open slopes with any steepness over 40 degrees.>Avoid steep lee and cross-loaded features>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 4

Deep Persistent Slabs

This layer may wake up as the warmth reaches deeper into the snowpack. Watch for cornices and other small avalanches as potential triggers.

Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 5