Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 28th, 2019 4:11PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Deep Persistent Slabs, Wind Slabs and Loose Wet.

michael.olsthoorn, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Solar radiation is expected to be strong on Friday. Be alert on solar aspects as the recent snow will likely start to slide on solar aspects.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Friday: Expect a mix of sun and cloud with alpine temperatures of +1c. Winds are to be light from the North and a freezing level of 2000m. Solar radiation will be strong when the sun is out and will most probably affect southern slopes to mountain top.Saturday: Expect a mix of sun and cloud, alpine temperatures of +2c and a freezing level of 2200m. Solar radiation will be strong when the sun is out.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous sluffs within the new storm snow were observed on solar aspects but the cloud cover kept the solar radiation to a minimum. Friday is to be sunnier, so more activity is expected.

Snowpack Summary

This recent storm has dropped around 10-20cm of snow, more toward the East. Expect to find some soft slabs in the alpine. Expect this new snow to slide and entrain all of the storm snow, especially on solar aspects. . This new snow has fallen on top of a previous melt freeze crust that developed during last weeks heat wave. The main concerns at this time is the new snow sliding on solar aspects that are overlying the previous melt freeze crust as well as concerns associated with the deep persistent weak base. The freezing level on Thursday climbed to 2300m with some moist snow being found below this elevation. Untracked areas at treeline and below are weak isothermal. In these Spring conditions, the avalanche danger rating can deteriorate rapidly, especially with solar input.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

This layer becomes a concern when the melt/freeze crust breaks down with solar radiation or warming.

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

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Wind Slabs

Isolated windslabs in alpine terrain that have formed with the recent snow and winds. Check the bond with the underlying crusts.

Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Loose Wet

As conditions warm up, watch for wet slabs to start on solar aspects.

Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.Use extra caution on solar slopes or if the snow is moist or wet.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 29th, 2019 2:00PM