Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Mar 8 – 9, 2021Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Spring is in the air. Warm temps and intense solar radiation can lead to a rapid increase in avalanche danger levels. Be aware of localized conditions. Wind slabs are still a concern at higher elevations. Dig and explore the snowpack before committing to bigger terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Wind slabs (recently buried) exist in the upper snowpack that feel drummy and cakey in some areas. Be aware of the potential for wide propagations. 

    .

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3

    Despite the strong heat not much activity was observed on this interface. Recent skier triggerred activity indicate that it should still be very much in your mind as you travel. 

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–1.5

    Intense solar radiation at this time of year can quickly elevate avalanche activity on solar aspects. Time your exposure to these slopes to avoid the heat of the day.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Tuesday will be mostly sunny with light westerly winds to start the day, switching to moderate SW by the afternoon. Temperatures will reach -5 with freezing levels near 2000m. Light snow is expected on Wednesday.

Avalanche Summary

A few loose dry avalanches up to size 1.5 were observed from very steep Alpine terrain today on N, E and S aspects. These were likely triggered by the rapid loading from the brief, but intense, convective flurries.

Snowpack Summary

5 to 15cm of convective snow fell in the past 24hrs. The snowfall amounts vary considerably across the region. This new snow overlies a crust on solar aspects, and in many cases this new snow will have turned moist by Monday afternoon, producing a new surface crust by Tuesday morning. On non-solar aspects expect the recent snow to be sitting over a wide variety of previously formed wind slabs. These slabs vary considerably in depth and distribution. Recent snowpack tests indicate that the buried persistent weak layers of Feb 19 and Jan 27 are still present within the top 50 to 80cm, but generally the test results have been in the moderate to hard range.

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain.
  • Pay attention to isolated alpine features as well as cross-loaded features at treeline.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.
  • Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet

Regions covered