Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 1st, 2017–Mar 2nd, 2017

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Kananaskis.

In theory we are using the ratings by the exact definition. In practice, we are treating it as a cautious moderate. Keep a close eye on the snow and your terrain choice despite the moderate rating.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

The winds will continue overnight. Westerly ridge winds will be sustained atÂ 50km/hr at ridgeline and tomorrow range from 40-60km/hr. The 2500m high temp will be -9. As for precip, only trace amounts are expected, but there may be higher localized amounts.

Avalanche Summary

One notable avalanche was seen pouring off an alpine face today. Undoubtedly the wind is to blame, whether it was a cornice collapse or loose dry is a mystery. It appeared to pull out the slope below the face. Sz2, Goat Range, East aspect and went into skiable terrain.

Snowpack Summary

The winds picked up last night and created new windslabs on north to south aspects. These start to show up at treeline and continue up to alpine elevations. In the high alpine the winds were/are strong enough to strip the snow completely. Lots of wind transport indicates that immediate lee terrain and cross loaded gullies will be primed. Treeline and below has felt the cold. Facetting has weakened existing slabs and has started to break down the various crusts from a week ago.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

New wind slabs are on N-S aspect. At treeline, these tend to be more widespread but less dense. In the alpine, the wind has focused them to immediate lee. This problem also factors in buried windslabs that are down 10-20cm.

Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.Avoid freshly wind loaded features.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 2 - 3

Persistent Slabs

The cold weather has helped to break down the surface slabs, however the buried hard slab and/or facet layer is still intact. Convex terrain at treeline seems to be the most troubling areas.

Be aware of the potential for wide propagations.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

Recent facetting has broken down the surface slabs below treeline. Above that, this problem is alive and well! It is a hard layer to trust.

Avoid steep convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 4