Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 23rd, 2018 4:11PM

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

matt.mueller, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

We are expecting a brief, but intense pulse of snow tomorrow afternoon. Watch for changing conditions if this arrives earlier than expected. The hazard levels could get worse quickly if the timing is off.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Another windy night in store. Winds will gust to 65km/hr from the SW. Tomorrow we are expecting 12cm of snow. Mostly in an afternoon pulse, but expect flurries throughout the day. Winds will drop to 10-25km/hr from the SW.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new today.

Snowpack Summary

Flurries are still adding dribs & drabs of new snow. Winds picked up last night and today which created new windslabs on N-S aspects. These are mostly in the alpine, but may extend to exposed treeline areas. The deeper crusts are still on our radar as the bond appears to be variable. Dig and assess the crust/surface snow interface if traveling on solar aspects.

Problems

Wind Slabs

isolated windslabs in alpine areas along ridgelines and crossloaded features. Watch for these at the entrances to runs.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Cornices

Overhead cornices loom along ridgelines. As daytime temps warm up, these will become weak and have potential to collapse.

Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could easily trigger deep slabs.Cornices become weak with daytime heating, so travel early on exposed slopes.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Mar 24th, 2018 2:00PM