Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 19th, 2019 3:00PM

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

mike.koppang, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Wednesday has a forecasted freezing level of 32-3400m. Avoid all avalanche terrain.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

This week's weather looks sunny and hot for the duration. Wednesday should see highest temperature of the week with ridge-top and freezing levels climbing to 3200m. Winds will be light from the North with no cloud cover.

Avalanche Summary

More avalanche activity again today, with slides up to size 2.5. Numerous loose wet avalanches occurred at all elevations. At Treeline and Alpine elevations wind slabs and deep persistent slabs were again active on all aspects. A few slabs were also observed on Northern aspects as the heat begins to settle the snowpack in these areas.

Snowpack Summary

As we quickly enter spring, the alpine snowpack is changing...FAST! The sudden spike in temperatures and solar exposure are making crusts more of a widespread layer. Expect them on any slope that sees the sun. On the shaded aspects, we have those lingering wind slabs to worry about. All evidence points to these wind slabs being very sensitive to temperature changes. The lack of support within the snowpack is preventing any sort of anchoring. Treeline has a similar issue, only the wind slabs are thinner and not as widespread. The treeline slabs may be even touchier because of their thin nature and shorter recover (re-freeze) time at night.To share an opinion, this year's snowpack has a character that we haven't seen before. We have a long history with facets and depth hoar, but this year's crop is off the charts. As such, we feel it's necessary to acknowledge the uncertainty by avoiding large terrain right now. The snowpack has no trustworthy qualities right now.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Warmer temps have woken up this layer. Shallow snowpack areas and cornice triggers are of particular concern. This problem deserves respect as any resulting avalanche will be full depth.

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

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Loose Wet

Loose wet slides will occur on solar aspects at all elevations as temps warm up. Steep thin areas will be more vulnerable to this type of activity. They may trigger slabs as they gain mass.

Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.If triggered the loose wet sluffs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Very Likely - Certain

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs have become active with the recent heat, and recent avalanches have occurred on all aspects.

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

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 20th, 2019 2:00PM