Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 23rd, 2020 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada mkoppang, Avalanche Canada

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Kananaskis.

Conservative terrain that avoids any hazard. For the good of us all, be thinking about this as you travel. Or choose not to travel and wait for next year. The current health care system is under enough stress due to COVID19 pandemic don't add to the problems/workload.  

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Tuesday is looking to be a cloudy day with light flurries falling. Temperatures will be around -5 at treeline during the day under cloudy skies. Convective flurries seem to be the theme of the week. 

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed but observations were limited. 

Snowpack Summary

5cm of new snow fell via convective flurries throughout the day under generally light winds. This is now up to 10cm of new snow that has fallen on top of crusts on solar aspects and on dry powder snow on polar aspects. The mid pack is well settled and concerns still exist with basal crusts. Buried windslabs can be expected at ridge lines and remember that human triggering is still possible in steeper terrain...Which you should not be in because we are asking you to dial it back.  

Terrain and Travel

  • Avoid convexities, steep unsupported terrain and rocky outcroppings.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to the presence of a deep persistent slab.
  • Avoid areas with a thin or variable snowpack.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Some buried wind slabs exist in the alpine. Digging will be key.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs

The deep persistent layer is still a concern, especially in shallow snowpack areas. A large cornice trigger could also be enough to weak up this layer.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

1.5 - 3.5

Valid until: Mar 24th, 2020 4:00PM

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