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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 25th, 2014–Mar 26th, 2014
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
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
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Kananaskis.

Another system bringing snow beginning Tuesday night.  Totals amounts of 30-40cm by Thursday  with moderate westerly winds will  result in additional load on the Feb 10 layer and will be capable of producing some larger avalanches. 

Confidence

Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Wednesday

Weather Forecast

Current forecasts are showing snow beginning tonight with 30-40cm possible by late on Thursday.  Winds will increase to moderate out of the west.  Freezing levels will drop to approx 1500 meters.

Avalanche Summary

Isolated sluffing from steep alpine terrain.  Two Size 2.5 and one Size 3 natural have occurred in the past 24 hours  One of the Size 2.5 on Mt Murray was triggered by a cornice failure and caused a sympathetic release on an adjacent slope which ran full path to near the bottom of the runout.  The failure plane was the Feb 10 interface.  The second Size 2.5  initiated in a steep shallow rocky area and ran on ground.

Snowpack Summary

Surface hoar growth noted in sheltered areas below treeline with some surface facetting also observed.  Solar aspects have a thin crust from Monday that is becoming moist by midday.  The previous storm snow has settled into a soft slab 20-40cm thick in the alpine and open areas at treeline in immediate lee features - so far they appear to be well bonded to previous surfaces.  The Feb 10 layer is down anywhere from 80-120cm and is still producing sporadic natural and human triggered avalanche activity.

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

The feb 10 layer is down 80-120cm and remains a concern.  Sporadic  avalanche activity still occurring on this layer with potential for large avalanches to occur.
Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches.>Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 5

Wind Slabs

Windslabs are present in the immediate lees along ridgetops and in crosssloaded features in the alpine and open areas at treeline.
Caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.>Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3