Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 30th, 2015 8:45AM

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

matt.mueller, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

We are expecting things to cool down and some new snow over the next while. The cooler temps will lock the lower elevation snowpack in place.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Freezing level tomorrow will rise to 2200m by mid afternoon. After that we are expecting a cooling trend with freezing levels to fall to 1500m. Winds will be mostly strong, but gusting to extreme in isolated areas. Mostly sunny skies will keep the new snow to a minimum.

Avalanche Summary

Loose wet cycles continue below treeline.

Snowpack Summary

Extended warmth has made the entire snowpack isothermal below treeline. Treeline has a similar situation except for 2200-2300m in true north aspects where the heat hasn't completely cooked the snowpack. The alpine has had significant freeze/thaw cycles on all aspects except true north. The deeper layers likely remain untouched by the warm air and are still considered a winter snowpack.

Problems

Loose Wet

No recovery is expected tonight. The snowpack will remain wet and bottomless until a significant freeze kicks in. Steeper angles are a potential problem as loose wet avalanches are more likely.

Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Wind Slabs

immediate lee areas in steep terrain may have a windslab problem.

Avoid steep lee and cross-loaded features>

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

This layer will become more reactive as the warm air digs deeper into the snowpack.

Avoid steep slopes below cornices.>Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 5

Valid until: Mar 31st, 2015 2:00PM