Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 17th, 2018 3:00PM

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

jeremy.mackenzie, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Look to sheltered north aspects for better ski quality.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Sunday is expected to be cloudy with light flurries. Snow accumulations could reach 10cm by days end. Temperatures will be a bit cooler with highs near -8 °C at ridge-top, with freezing levels topping out at 1600m. Winds will be from the east at 10km/h. Monday and Tuesday look to be a bit unsettled with cool temperatures and light to moderate westerly winds.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed today.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 2cm of new snow fell overnight. This overlies a 2 to 5cm thick crust at all elevations and all aspects, except true north aspects. The snow beneath the curst is moist up to 2200m. The previously formed March 15th crust is buried on average 20cm and is also present on all slopes except high elevation northerly aspects. In the high Alpine forecasters suspect there is a thin wind slab in traditional lee and cross-loaded features due to recent moderate winds at upper elevations.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Watch for wind slabs in lee and cross-loaded terrain in the high Alpine. In steep and unsupported features these could be sensitive to human triggering.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 18th, 2018 2:00PM