Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 9th, 2014 3:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is considerable. Known problems include Storm Slabs and Persistent Slabs.

mike.koppang, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Cooler temperatures are expected tomorrow and as a result, we expect natural avalanche activity to begin to decrease. Lots of skier triggerred avalanches and remote triggerred avalanches have been observed of late so use caution.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Freezing levels are forecast to drop back to valley floors over the next few days and winds are expected to remain calm.Â No new snow is expected but there is forecast to be a mix of sun and cloud.Â The solar radiation is intense at this time of year so pay close attention your aspect in relation to the sun.

Avalanche Summary

A few new avalanches were observed on Sunday at treeline elevations and below. The failure plain for the majority of these avalanches was likely the 0211 interface down on average 80-100cm.

Snowpack Summary

Freezing levels remained around 1900m on Sunday with rain below this elevation and wet snow above. The snowpack below here is now becoming isothermal in some areas. Above this elevation, the wet heavy snow continued to release natural avalanche up to sz 2.5 at treeline and below. The drier snow in Alpine areas was being redistributed by strong SW flow onto lee aspects building new storm slabs.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Strong SW winds are building new storm slabs on lee aspects in alpine terrain.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.>

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

Numerous Skier triggerred avalanches have been observed on this layer recently. The warm temps are making this layer more reactive to stick to conservative terrain.

Choose well supported terrain without convexities.>Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.>Use careful route-finding and stick to moderate slope angles with low consequences>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

2 - 5

Valid until: Mar 10th, 2014 2:00PM