Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 3rd, 2015 7:46AM

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

matt.mueller, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Strong winds have formed windslabs in the alpine. The cold temperatures have weakened the surface snow somewhat, and thus weakened some bridging of the snowpack. PW

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Temperatures will remain cool tonight and tomorrow with a high tomorrow of -10 at ridge top, but we are leaving this mini arctic flow and will be gradually getting warmer temps to where the freezing level may reach 2000m by Saturday.

Avalanche Summary

A couple of solar induced sluffs were noted in steep rocky terrain. One avalanche of note occurred on Tent Ridge, in one of the gullies mid-ridge. It is estimated to be a size 2.5 which is large considering the lack of natural activity recently. Check out our Kananaskis Public Safety Facebook page for a picture of the Tent Ridge avalanche.

Snowpack Summary

An average of 10cm of snow fell throughout the region, but amounts vary from drainage to drainage. This has not changed hazard levels below treeline, but at treeline and in the alpine this is a different story. Strong north westerly winds up high moved snow around all day, and by mid-day the winds started to affect treeline elevations as well. Widespread soft slabs exist on lee aspects in the alpine, and are just starting to form at treeline elevations. The sun packed a punch today and on steep solar aspects the snow almost became moist, even though temperatures were below freezing all day. Cold temps overnight (-30degC at Mud Lake) contributed to near surface facetting, which remains on polar aspects.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Windslabs exist on lee features in the alpine. The distribution of these windslabs at treeline varies so approach open features at this elevation with caution

Caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.>Use caution in lee areas in the alpine. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.>Avoid travelling in areas that have been reverse loaded by winds.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

This may be more of a concern at treeline where windslabs have become softer due to facetting.

Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Valid until: Mar 4th, 2015 2:00PM