Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 23rd, 2014 3:00PM

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

jeremy.mackenzie, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Sporadic avalanche activity (both natural and human-triggered) has occurred over the past few days and forecasters have low confidence in the snowpack. Conservative route selection is strongly recommended. This is NOT the time to ski the big line.

Summary

Confidence

Fair

Weather Forecast

Cloudy conditions are expected through the week with light to moderate snowfall possible Tuesday nd Wednesday. Monday should see temperatures near -7 degrees in the Alpine and generally light winds.

Avalanche Summary

Visibility was limited today, but the skier-triggered avalanche from yesterday on Mt Engadine was evaluated from a distance. We still have limited information on this slide, but it occurred on a W to NW aspect at Treeline and was a size 2.5 that took out the entire width of the normal avalanche path and flowed to at least 3/4 of the run-out.

Snowpack Summary

Storm snow from the past week has settled to an average of 30cm at treeline. Sun crusts are found on solar aspects. Recently formed wind slabs are evident in the Alpine and open areas at Treeline, but so far these seem relatively well bonded to the previous surfaces. The Feb 10th layer remains a concern and is found buried 80 to 120cm. This layer continues to give variable results in snowpack tests and has caused sporadic natural avalanche activity over the past week.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

The Feb 10th layer down 80 to 120cm in the snowpack remains a concern. Sporadic avalanche activity on this layer continues to occur on all aspects. This layer will be a problem for some time to come.

Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.>Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 5

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs between 20 and 40cm thick are found in lee and cross-loaded features in the Alpine and open areas at Treeline. Isolated avalanche activity has recently occurred on this layer and human triggering is a concern in steep terrain.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>Caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Mar 24th, 2014 2:00PM