Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 3rd, 2012 3:00PM

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

jeremy.mackenzie, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Avalanche hazard is on the rise. Pay attention to localized conditions. Hazard could become HIGH on Sunday if more snow arrives than is forecast. It is time to choose low angle, low consequence terrain with no overhead hazard.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Timing of incoming weather is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Extreme W winds to continue with 5cm of snow forecast. A more intense system on monday could bring 20 to 25cm with continued strong winds.

Avalanche Summary

Very limited visibility, but 2 size 2.0 to 2.5 Na observed on the Goat Range on E asp at 2700m. Debris appeared dirty, so possibly these slides failed on ground.

Snowpack Summary

6 to 10cm Hn. Extensive wind slab formation ongoing at all elevations.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

The Valentine's surface hoar and sun crust continue to be problems with extensive avalanche activity in the past week. The surface hoar is particularly touchy and is buried 35 to 75cm. Remote triggering, cracking and whumpfing are occurring.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 6

Wind Slabs

Extreme SW winds have formed hard and soft slabs at all elevations on lee and cross loaded features. A failure in these slabs will likely step down and trigger the surface hoar or the basal facets. Recent avalanches have occurred on this layer.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 6

Deep Persistent Slabs

Weak facets and depth hoar linger at the base of the snowpack. Thin steep areas are the most likely trigger points. Snowboarders triggered a size 3.0 slide on Thursday on this layer when the initial wind slab stepped down to ground.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

3 - 6

Cornices

Cornices have grown significantly in the alpine. Failures continue to occur and have triggered avalanches up to size 2.5 on the underlying slopes. Give cornices a wide berth and stay well back from corniced ridge crests.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

2 - 6

Valid until: Mar 4th, 2012 8:00AM