Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 3rd, 2018 3:41PM

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

matt.mueller, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Much better skiing than a few days ago. If winds pick up unexpectedly, the alpine hazard will easily go to considerable.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

A few more flurries will bring another 5cm tonight. Tomorrow will be a mix of sun and cloud with daytime highs of -14C. Winds will shift to the south and fall to 15km/hr.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new, but visibility was limited.

Snowpack Summary

Snow continued overnight and today. So far storm totals are approaching 25cm at treeline. For the most part this new snow has come in with little wind, however there has been just enough of it to build soft windslabs. Some minor cracking was noted today within the new windslabs, but not enough to make an avalanche problem just yet. The weak mid pack is easily felt in the valley bottom and treeline elevations. If the new slabs firm up, these weak facets could become a sliding layer. The deeper instabilities are handling the new load well for the time being.

Problems

Wind Slabs

These are now layers of windslabs. Expect soft slabs on the surface and buried hard slabs underneath in the alpine.

Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.Evaluate unsupported slopes critically.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Loose Dry

Not a problem on their own unless you are in a confined gully. But as a trigger for other layers they should be a concern.

Carry avalanche safety equipment on ice climbs in avalanche terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

Large triggers are a concern. Cornices, and small avalanches are likely triggers.

Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3.5

Valid until: Mar 4th, 2018 2:00PM