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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 15th, 2017–Mar 16th, 2017
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high
Below Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be high
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high
Below Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be high

Regions: Kananaskis.

Avoid all avalanche terrain. A widespread avalanche cycle is on-going.

Confidence

Moderate - Freezing levels are uncertain

Weather Forecast

Another 5cm of snow is expected tonight before Thursday brings a cloudy day with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Alpine temperatures will reach a high of -8 °C with the freezing level at 1400m. Winds will be out of the west at 40-55 km/h. A storm is approaching on Friday and Saturday possibly bringing significant snowfalls, warm temperatures and strong winds.

Avalanche Summary

A widespread natural avalanche cycle up to size 3.0 is occurring on all aspects at all elevations with many slides reaching the end of their run-outs. Many avalanches are stepping down to the basal weak layers with fractures as deep as 2 metres.

Snowpack Summary

10 to 15cm of new snow above 2300m and rain below this elevation. The snowpack is settling rapidly. A widespread natural avalanche cycle is on-going (see Avalanche Activity Discussion). The mid-pack remains dense and the basal layers remain weak. Up to 100cm of depth hoar and facets make up the base of the snowpack.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs are widespread in Alpine and Treeline terrain on all aspects, but expect deeper slabs on lee and cross-loaded features. Wet slabs at lower elevations are occurring due to the recent rain.
Caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.Avoid freshly wind loaded features.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Very Likely

Expected Size: 2 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

Any avalanche initiated in the upper snowpack could step down to the weak basal layers resulting in a very large avalanche. Recent wet snow has overloaded this layer resulting in large avalanches.
Be aware of the potential for wide propagations.Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could easily trigger the deep persistent slab.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 2 - 4

Cornices

Cornice collapses are triggering slabs up to size 3.5 on underlying slopes waking up the basal layers.
Extra caution needed around cornices with current conditions.Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could easily trigger the deep persistent slab.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Very Likely

Expected Size: 2 - 4