Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 26th, 2017 3:00PM

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

michael.olsthoorn, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

The hazard ratings are better by definition but the consequences of exposure to large overhead hazard with such a weak basal layer is real.

Summary

Confidence

Weather Forecast

Monday: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurriesPrecipitation: Trace.Alpine temperature: High -5 C.Ridge wind west 25 km/h.Freezing level: 2000 metres.

Avalanche Summary

A few loose dry avalanches up to sz 2 were observed out of steep unskiable terrain on Sunday. One size 3 was observed today south of the Fortress area.

Snowpack Summary

7-17cm HN and up to 30cm over the past two days. Wind affect in alpine areas but much more isolated at TL and below. New snow settling rapidly with warm temps and steep solar aspects becoming moist by 10:30am. Good skiing can be found on non-solar aspects and sheltered areas.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Windslabs are being encountered in isolated areas at Treeline and more widespread in the Alpine. Ridgelines, 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.Avoid freshly wind loaded features.

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.

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

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Cornices

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

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Mar 27th, 2017 2:00PM