Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 23rd, 2017 4:13PM

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

michael.olsthoorn, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Human triggering of avalanches will continue to be a concern for the rest of the season. The sun is making snow moist on solar aspects.

Summary

Confidence

Weather Forecast

Friday is calling for cloudy skies with scattered flurries. Alpine temperature will be -5c with ridge winds from the southwest of 30-40k/htr. Freezing level is expected to be 1900m.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed today but the places that have not gone look primed to go. The forecasters are still avoiding any exposure to larger slopes overhead. Avalanches that have occurred over the past weak were very large, had wide propagations and failed in the basal weak layers. In many cases these slides have been reaching or exceeding historic run-outs.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 10cm of recent snow overlies a supportive crust layer. Above 2200m this crust begins to deteriorate. In Alpine and Treeline wind slabs are found on all aspects, but expect deeper deposits on lee and cross-loaded features. Moist snow is found on solar aspects from the strong solar radiation. The lower 125cm of the snowpack consists of facets and depth hoar. This critical weakness will persist for the rest of the season.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs are found on all aspects. Above 2200m these slabs are more prevalent. An avalanche triggered in the upper snowpack could step down to the weak basal layers.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.Avoid steep lee and cross-loaded slopes

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

There is still a real concern for larger overhead exposure, especially for those features that have not yet avalanched.

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

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Loose Wet

Use extra caution on solar slopes or if the snow is moist or wet.Minimize exposure to sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 24th, 2017 2:00PM