Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 31st, 2014 8:03AM

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

jeremy.mackenzie, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Great skiing with lots of fresh snow recently, but stick to conservative lines. A very serious accident on Sunday indicates that human-triggering is a very real possibility. Also, keep a close eye on the solar radiation at this time of year.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Tuesday should bring a mix of sun and cloud with Alpine temperatures near -3 degrees. Winds will be light from the West.

Avalanche Summary

Isolated snow-balling was observed in steep solar aspects today. The skier-triggered slide from yesterday was visited today for evaluation. This slide was a size 2.5 (originally sized as a 2.0) and occurred on a North aspect at 2200m. The failure plane for the avalanche was the Feb 10th layer down an average of 110cm in this area. Photos have been posted on our Facebook page.

Snowpack Summary

8 to 12cm of new snow overnight with no wind effect. The storm snow over the past week has settled to 50cm. Moist snow was observed on solar aspects this afternoon as well as below 2000m on all other aspects. The Feb 10th layer is buried 90 to 120cm and remains a serious concern in the snowpack.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

The Feb 10th persistent weak layer remains a concern and continues to give variable results in snowpack tests. A very serious avalanche accident occurred on this layer on Sunday (see photos).

Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches.>Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 5

Wind Slabs

Previously formed wind slabs are now hidden by up to 25cm of recent snow. These slabs are most commonly found in Alpine terrain and open areas at Treeline.

Use caution in lee areas in the alpine. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.>Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Loose Wet

Intense periods of solar radiation and/or warm temperatures will cause sluffing on solar aspects.

Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.>Travel early before the heat of the day, and avoid big slopes in the afternoon.>

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 1st, 2014 2:00PM