Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 29th, 2018–Mar 30th, 2018

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Kananaskis.

It's a tricky time right now. Loose dry, cornices, wind slabs and persistent slab avalanche problems all exist. Keep the eyes open and the brain tuned in.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Flurries will start tonight and give about 4cm . Alpine temps will be -9 with 45km/hr winds. Tomorrow the flurries will continue and drop another 10cm. Overall winds will drop to 15km/hr but gusts will continue to reach 45km/hr. Alpine temps will hit -7C.

Avalanche Summary

Several older(early this week) slabs were noted. Many were thin alpine windslabs, cornice triggered and averaged size 2. East aspects were also a theme.

Snowpack Summary

A flight through the region today gave us a good look around. Most alpine areas have widespread wind slabs of various densities, but the tighter, sheltered drainages are still holding decent snow below ridgeline. Treeline has less wind affect overall with soft snow on sheltered north aspects. The aspect begins to play a role at this elevation. The Mar 15 crust is widespread on any solar aspect. It is down 20-40cm and so far has a decent bond to the surface layers. Intense sun today will likely form another thin surface crust on south aspects. Overall, the snowpack is reasonably solid, but still a ways from our usual spring like snowpack typical of late march.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Lots of windslabs out there right now. Crossloaded and unsupported terrain should be treated with respect.

Avoid steep lee and cross-loaded slopesEvaluate unsupported slopes critically.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

This layer appears to be the culprit for several avalanches in high treeline/low alpine terrain this week. Probing and digging will help locate it and assess how reactive it is.

Avoid steep Southerly aspects.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Cornices

The flight today revealed enough cornice triggered avalanches to consider them a problem. Avoid being under them as they could trigger slabs below and travel far.

Avoid steep slopes below cornices.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2