Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Kananaskis.
More snow and wind on the way. Take the time to evaluate all of the different layers before adventuring into bigger terrain.
Confidence
Moderate -
Weather Forecast
Monday: Mainly cloudy with flurries and an expected 5cm of snow. Alpine temperatures will reach -4c along with 40-70km/hr winds from the SW. Freezing level is forecast at 2000m.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported but visibility was limited.
Snowpack Summary
The recent storm snow is settling with the warmer temps. Expect to find wind slabs in the alpine from the recent storm with lee features loaded. Monday is forecast to have strong winds from the SW, so expect the development of another wind slab layer and more loading. The Feb 19 layer which is a crust on solar aspects and a hard wind slab on the other aspects is now down about 40-70cm. Take the time to dig and evaluate all of these layers. Â
Terrain and Travel
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and wind exposure.
- Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Continuing snow, wind and warm temps will continue to build wind slabs at treeline and above.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5
Persistent Slabs
Carefully evaluate the bond with the Feb 19th crust down 40 to 70cm. Recent wind loading will make this problem more reactive, as will periods of intense solar input.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5