Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 8th, 2019 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 Deep Persistent Slabs.

matt.mueller, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

New wind slabs are out there. Luckily the loading pattern is predictable, and limited to alpine and exposed treeline areas.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Wind effect is extremely variable

Weather Forecast

Tomorrow will be similar to today. Mostly cloudy with a few flurries. Light winds at all elevations and temperatures ranging from -17 to -8. The week end appears to be consistent with this more seasonal weather pattern.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new today, but skies were obscured most of the day.

Snowpack Summary

The last 24 hours has been windy in the alpine and treeline areas. The westerly winds have built new windslabs near ridges, and loaded many alpine bowls. Treeline also has new slabs, but not as widespread; they tend to disappear quickly below ridge lines. It's important to remember how bad the facetted mid/lower pack is. In all honesty, after a record breaking cold snap like that one, this forecaster has NO trust in the midpack. How it will behave with a new load and warming trend is a question few, if any of us can answer with any certainty. In times like this, let mellow terrain guide you.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Variable winds have left us with new windslabs in the alpine and upper treeline. A "pulling in the reigns" mindset will be the way to approach your ski day.

Caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.Carefully evaluate terrain features by digging and testing on adjacent, safe slopes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

This layer is a sleeper. It's just sitting there, waiting for something to wake it up. Respect its potential as these new wind slabs bond and the new snow load balances out.

Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.Be aware of the potential for wide propagations due to the presence of hard windslabs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Valid until: Mar 9th, 2019 2:00PM