Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 11th, 2018 3:00PM

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

michael.olsthoorn, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

The freezing levels are rising and the overnight lows are climbing. This spring heat will quickly increase the avalanche hazard.Avoid large slopes with solar aspects.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

Monday is forecast for another sunny day with the freezing level going up to 2400m. Winds are suppose to be light out of the West. Tuesday and Wednesday will see more warming and the freezing level should reach 2900m.

Avalanche Summary

Several loose wet avalanches up to 1.5 on solar aspects.Several slabs released at all elevations on NE to SE aspects up to size 2

Snowpack Summary

Extensive wind slabs in the alpine that reach down to isolated areas of treeline and cross loaded features. Moist snow on steep solar aspects and on all aspects up to 2200m that are not shaded. Good skiing was still found on shady aspects in the trees.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Lots of wind slabs in the Alpine and along ridgelines at Treeline. Steep and unsupported terrain should be considered suspect.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.Avoid steep lee and cross-loaded slopes

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Loose Wet

Steep, rocky terrain will hold the sun's heat and cause loose wet avalanches to become a concern by midday. They could be a problem in themselves, but they could also act as a trigger for slabs.

Avoid ice climbs exposed to steep rocky terrain on solar aspects during the middle of the day.Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

Cornices could start to fail if they see a lot of sun. These kinds of large triggers could cause the deep layers to fail.

Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

2 - 3.5

Valid until: Mar 12th, 2018 2:00PM