Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 8th, 2025 2:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs, Wind Slabs and Loose Dry.
Kananaskis,
Avalanche Canada
**UPDATE AT 0845**
With neighbours receiving much more snow then expected, ongoing extreme winds and warm temps we have adjusted our forecast to HIGH/CON/CON for Sunday morning
If forecasts hold true, we are expecting another round of snow and unfortunately high avalanche hazard. For Sunday, pay attention to changing conditions and be prepared to change plans.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Nothing in our immediate region today, but travel was limited. A flight in the Ghost area did have a small slab release at the bottom of Hydrophobia. Lots of wind out there today.
Snowpack Summary
Winds have built new windslabs at alpine elevations. Expect to find them on all easterly aspects and extending down into treeline. The slabs are resting on a variety of surfaces, which includes old wind slab, isolated crusts on steep solar, and of course facets. Once again, we find ourselves questioning the bond quality between the existing slabs and the old snow. At treeline and below, travel is still tedious with deep trail breaking. Another general comment would be despite the warm weather, spring is a long way off in our snowpack. Its very much winter above 1900m.
Of note, during a flight over the Ghost region today we saw lots of wind loading in gullies above climbs. A surprising amount of snow out there today.
Weather Summary
Snow! Sort of. Snow starting tonight at midnight, with 10cm by early evening tomorrow. The snow continues into Monday with a total of 21cm expected. Sunday's winds will be light from the west in Valley Bottom, but 50-60km/hr at peak height. Gusts are also expected. Overall it seems like a blustery day for tomorrow. Day time high of -2°.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Keep in mind that human triggering may persist as natural avalanches taper off.
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
- Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
This sits upon weak faceted crystals, sun crust or a dense layer that are perfect for slab avalanches. This layer will not react well to new loading, or even re-loading from wind.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs have been building with recent wind. Expect heavy wind loading in lee features. With incoming snow, expect them to become more reactive.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
Concern for steep extreme terrain
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 9th, 2025 2:00PM
