Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 3rd, 2019 3:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs, Deep Persistent Slabs and Loose Dry.

matt.mueller, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

What more can be said? Cold air and facetted snow are with us for awhile yet. Decent skiing can be had, but keep an eye out for those "facalanches"!

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Tomorrow will see a relative warm spell! Only -22 in the morning with a high of -10. Light NE winds and of course, no snow.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new.

Snowpack Summary

Cold, dry and often loose snow is the flavor of the month so far. We are still seeing windslabs near ridges and cross loaded areas, but these seem to loose there typical "cakey" character very quickly. Despite not having a traditional windslab feel to them, they could still react simply because the underlying layers are weak, aerated facets.Â As you get further down slope there is eventually no slab, or any true structure to the snow. In un-traveled areas, expect a weak, occasionally bottomless snowpack.

Problems

Wind Slabs

These are getting better as the bond improves with the underlying layer and the cold air facets the snow. If they do react, expect them to auger in and bulldoze the midpack.

Caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

We are thinking this layer is becoming more reactive over time. As the slabs facet/weaken, the bridging effect will become less reliable.

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

Unlikely

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Loose Dry

Mostly a problem in steep terrain, but we could start to see some solar triggered slides as well.

Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain, particularly where the debris flows into terrain traps.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Mar 4th, 2019 2:00PM