Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 27th, 2017–Mar 28th, 2017

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Kananaskis.

Forecasters are still feeling that exposure to large overhead terrain should be avoided. The lower half of the snowpack is weak.

Confidence

Weather Forecast

Tuesday: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurriesPrecipitation: Trace.Alpine temperature: High -8 C.Ridge wind west 40-60km/h.Freezing level: 1600 metres.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 30cm of new snow in the last three days. Wind effect was observed in the alpine, on lee features and cross loaded gullies. Moist snow was felt below 1900m and it is settling rapidly with warm temps. Good skiing can be found on shady aspects and sheltered areas. Numerous pits were dug in many areas of our forecast area and the most relevant observation was the weakness of the bottom 100cm of the snowpack (mostly facets and depth hoar).

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs are present mostly in the alpine.. Gullies and crossloaded features should be treated with caution and in steeper terrain avoided.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 2 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

Forecasters are still avoiding overhead hazard that has not yet released and being very conservative in bigger terrain.

Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could easily trigger the deep persistent slab.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 4

Cornices

Concern with daytime warming.

Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could easily trigger deep slabs.Cornices become weak with daytime heating.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3