Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Mar 18 – 19, 2019Alberta Parks
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
4 · High
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Highlights

Avoid avalanche terrain. The snowpack is not adjusting well to the rapid change to warm temperatures and intense solar radiation.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Wind slabs have become active with the recent heat, and recent avalanches have occurred on all aspects.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely - Certain
    Size
    1–2
    Loose wet slides will occur on solar aspects at all elevations as temps warm up. Steep thin areas will be more vulnerable to this type of activity. They may trigger slabs as they gain mass.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    2–3
    Warmer temps have woken up this layer. Shallow snowpack areas and cornice triggers are of particular concern. This problem deserves respect as any resulting avalanche will be full depth.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

This week's weather looks sunny and hot for the duration. Tuesday should see high temperatures near +6 at ridge-top and freezing levels climbing to 3100m. Winds will be light from the North. Wednesday and Thursday look similar, if not a bit warmer.

Avalanche Summary

More avalanche activity again today, with slides up to size 2.5. Numerous loose wet avalanches occurred at all elevations. At Treeline and Alpine elevations wind slabs and deep persistent slabs were again active on all aspects.

Snowpack Summary

As we quickly enter spring, the alpine snowpack is changing...FAST! The sudden spike in temperatures and solar exposure are making crusts more of a widespread layer. Expect them on any slope that sees the sun. On the shaded aspects, we have those lingering wind slabs to worry about. All evidence points to these wind slabs being very sensitive to temperature changes. The lack of support within the snowpack is preventing any sort of anchoring. Treeline has a similar issue, only the wind slabs are thinner and not as widespread. The treeline slabs may be even touchier because of their thin nature and shorter recover (re-freeze) time at night.To share an opinion, this year's snowpack has a character that we haven't seen before. We have a long history with facets and depth hoar, but this year's crop is off the charts. As such, we feel it's necessary to acknowledge the uncertainty by avoiding large terrain right now. The snowpack has no trustworthy qualities right now.

Regions covered