Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 18th, 2024 2:00PM

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

Mikey, Avalanche Canada

Kananaskis, Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, North 40, Spray - KLakes.

Expect a frozen landscape until the snow arrives.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A widespread cycle has occurred over the weekend and continued into Monday. There is so much that has avalanched that it is difficult to tell what is most recent. Avalanche activity should slow right down on Tuesday with the cooler temperatures and cloudy skies.

Snowpack Summary

Expect to find extensive frozen crust at all elevations, especially on solar aspects. This crust is basically all of the snow that melted over the weekend with the warm weather and now has frozen. If the crust is solid, then you will most likely have strong bridging over any weak layers. The places to watch out for would be the polar aspects at tree line and above. This would be for some lingering wind slabs and both the persistent and deep persistent problems that could still be triggered.

Weather Summary

Winter ain't over yet!!! Freezing levels will drop Monday night with an overnight low of -8c. Tuesday will be a bit of a transition day after the warm weekend; expect mostly a cloudy day with flurries beginning near noon. Winds are forecast to be SW at 20km/hr with a high temperature of -5c in the alpine. Freezing level will be around 1900m. Snow is expected to start early Wednesday morning and continue into Thursday with below freezing temperatures.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Conditions may have improved, but be mindful that deep instabilities are still present.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

This layer is the Feb 2 crust that has facets around it and is buried under the temperature crust but is still a concern on polar aspects that that have not melted and froze.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

This layer is the basal facets that are buried under the temperature crust but is still a concern on polar aspects that that have not melted and froze.