Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 31st, 2013 3:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Loose Wet and Cornices.

jeremy.mackenzie, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Avalanche Danger ratings will climb to CONSIDERABLE or HIGH with solar radiation and daytime heating. This is a good time for bigger objectives, but plan your trip to avoid sun-exposed slopes and cornices later in the day.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Continued dry and warm conditions for the next several days. Winds are expected to be moderate from the NW and freezing levels will climb to near 2600m on Monday.

Avalanche Summary

Several solar triggered sluffs up to size 2.0 on solar aspects.

Snowpack Summary

Little change in the snowpack except that it continues to settle with the warm temperatures. Crusts continue to melt and re-freeze with the daily temperature swings on all solar aspects. True North aspects are the only place to find dry snow. Cornices remain large and susceptible to failure with intense radiation.

Problems

Loose Wet

Steep solar aspects have been producing loose wet avalanches in the past several days due to intense solar radiation and daytime heating. Some of these slides have been running far out into run-out zones.

Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.>Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, as large avalanches may reach the end of runout zones.>

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Cornices

Cornices are large and sagging after more than a week of warm temperatures. Recent cornice failures have triggered slabs on the underlying slopes. Be aware of overhead exposure especially during times of intense solar radiation.

Cornices become weak with daytime heating, so travel early on exposed slopes.>Start and finish early before the surface crusts melt.>

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 5

Valid until: Apr 1st, 2013 2:00PM