Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 31st, 2018 3:00PM

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

jeremy.mackenzie, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Some good winter skiing out there, but watch for surface and near surface wind slabs that are sensitive to human triggering.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Sunday will bring flurries to the region with accumulations near 10cm by end of day on Sunday. Alpine temperatures should reach a high -7 °C, with light easterly winds. Early next week will see a return to the unseasonably cold temperatures and some light intermittent flurries. Spring seems a long way off!!!

Avalanche Summary

Several loose dry avalanches up to size 2.0 were observed in steep terrain in the Alpine and at Treeline. A few thin slabs up to size 2.0 occurred in steep Alpine terrain on W and E aspects.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 25cm recent storm snow at Treeline. In the early stage of the storm the winds were strong from the NW switching to SW. This has formed surface and near surface wind slabs in the Alpine. Cornices have grown. At the tail end of the storm the winds tapered off and at Treeline and below there is little to no wind effect in the surface snow. A series of sun crusts are buried on solar aspects, but generally seem unreactive, however the Mar 15 crust down up to 30cm is still being monitored.

Problems

Wind Slabs

The recent storm has formed wind slabs near ridge-crests at Treeline and more widespread in the Alpine. Variable wind directions have deposited these slabs on all but westerly aspects. Human triggering is likely.

Avoid steep lee and cross-loaded slopesEvaluate unsupported slopes critically.Avoid freshly wind loaded features.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

This layer's depth varies based on aspect. In lee areas, it could be 40-60 deep.

Avoid steep Southerly aspects.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Valid until: Apr 1st, 2018 2:00PM