Avalog
Register
Get forecast notifications
Create an account to receive email notifications when forecasts are published.
Register
Login
Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 14th, 2017–Mar 15th, 2017
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
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.

Avoid overhead exposure.  Strong solar radiation and warming a real concern for avalanches to release into the deeper basal weak layer.

Confidence

-

Weather Forecast

Wednesday will bring 6cm of snow and an alpine temperature of -1c.  Ridge winds are forecast for 30-40km/h from the SW.  Freezing level could reach 2200m and higher on solar aspects.  Overnight low temperatures of -1c are expected.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed in our region but the visibility was poor.  Our neighbours in Banff Park have reported a large avalanche cycle going into the weak basal layer.  The forecasters suspect that we will see some large avalanches with the warming and strong solar radiation.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 4 cm of snow in the past 24hrs.  Wind slabs are present at tree line and above on all aspects and are primed for human triggering.  A large recent avalanche cycle in Banff National Park with avalanches going to the deeper layers have the forecasters concerned with the warming temperatures and strong solar radiation.  The deeper layer of concern is the bottom 90cm of the snowpack which is comprised of depth hoar and facets.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs are widespread in Alpine and Treeline terrain on all aspects, but expect deeper slabs on lee and cross-loaded features.
Avoid freshly wind loaded features.Caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 2 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

Any avalanche initiated in the upper snowpack could step down to the weak basal layers resulting in a very large avalanche.
Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could easily trigger the deep persistent slab.Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.Be aware of the potential for wide propagations.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 4

Cornices

Cornice collapses are triggering slabs up to size 3.5 on underlying slopes waking up the basal layers.
Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could easily trigger the deep persistent slab.Extra caution needed around cornices with current conditions.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 2 - 4