Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 26th, 2015 3:00PM

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

matt.mueller, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

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

Summary

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.

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

Valid until: Mar 27th, 2015 2:00PM