Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 20th, 2018 3:00PM

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

matt.mueller, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Spring ski touring is here. If timing, aspect and elevation are thought out and planned well, the skiing can be quite good. Start early and look to the cold aspects for the best skiing.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Light to moderate winds in the alpine overnight tonight. Temps will be steady at the -10C mark for the next 36 hours. No significant snow is expected, however if the current convective pattern continues, there will be ongoing flurries tonight and tomorrow.

Avalanche Summary

nothing new today.

Snowpack Summary

Flurries today gave another 5-10cm of new snow. Like the other storms, this snow is settling very fast. The Mar15th crust is down 20-30 with an improving bond. The top 50cm of the snowpack varies greatly depending on aspect and elevation. Solar aspects and areas below 2100m have a series of crusts, while the polar aspects and high areas are much drier. In both cases, the snowpack is well settled and well bonded. Ski quality on the other hand is very different from area to area. Deeper down, the persistent layers have healed up with the Dec15th still apparent, but not reacting in tests.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs should be expected in alpine terrain along ridgelines and in gully features. These slabs do not appear to extend far downslope.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.Give cornices a wide berth when traveling on ridges.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 21st, 2018 2:00PM