Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 7th, 2016 7:11AM

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

matt.mueller, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Yesterday's heat and today's sun is helping to stabilize the snow, but it is taking a bit of toll on the ski quality. North aspects at upper treeline could be the place for decent skiing.

Summary

Confidence

High

Weather Forecast

Tonight will see the freezing level drop back down to valley bottom with winds at 25km/hr from the west. Tomorrow will be cloudy with flurries delivering only trace amounts of new snow. Tomorrow's high will be -5 at 2500m. Winds will be steady at the 30km/hr mark. Freezing level will rise to 1700m.

Avalanche Summary

Evidence of a loose wet cycle from yesterday is very evident on all aspects. Lots of snow balling out of steep terrain. 1 new slab was noted during a flight yesterday. It was an alpine start zone, east aspect and sz 2.5. Likely a cornice trigger.

Snowpack Summary

Yesterday's heat had a dramatic effect on the snowpack. We saw moist snow as high as 2300m on solar aspects and 2200 on polar aspects. This has created yet another crust at lower elevations. Mid elevations and polar aspects have escaped the new crust, but likely saw significant settlement. In the alpine, it was noted that the Feb 27th crust is very prominent on the south aspects and down 60-80cm in blown in areas. On the northerly aspects, this crust is limited to below treeline and treeline where the warm air settled. Cornices continue to grow in all lee terrain.

Problems

Wind Slabs

With the recent heating, its expected that these slabs will tighten up considerably as it cools down overnight. These will be more problematic at higher elevations.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>Choose well supported terrain without convexities.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

Snowpack depth is a critical consideration with this layer. Deeper areas are generally harder to trigger.

Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.>Avoid steep slopes below cornices.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 5

Valid until: Mar 8th, 2016 2:00PM