Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 10th, 2018 3:00PM

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

jeremy.mackenzie, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

It will take some time for the snowpack to adjust to the warming event that is occurring. Be very mindful of overhead hazard and your terrain choices as the day heats up and the solar radiation peaks. Hazard could be HIGH on sunny slopes.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Sunday will be another sunny and warm day with virtually no wind. Freezing levels should climb to at least 2200m. Monday and Tuesday will see continued warming with freezing levels reaching 2700m by Tuesday.

Avalanche Summary

Some pinwheeling on steep solar aspects and several loose wet avalanches up to size 1.0.

Snowpack Summary

Wind slabs of various densities are present in Alpine and Treeline areas on lee and cross-loaded features. Moist snow on steep solar aspects in the Alpine and on all aspects except polar below 2100m. The snowpack is settling.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Lots of wind slabs in the Alpine and along ridgelines at Treeline. Steep and unsupported terrain should be considered suspect.

Avoid steep lee and cross-loaded slopesBe careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Loose Wet

Steep, rocky terrain will hold the sun's heat and cause loose wet avalanches to become a concern by midday. They could be a problem in themselves, but they could also act as a trigger for slabs.

Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.Avoid ice climbs exposed to steep rocky terrain on solar aspects during the middle of the day.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

Cornices could start to fail if they see a lot of sun. These kinds of large triggers could cause the deep layers to fail.

Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

2 - 3.5

Valid until: Mar 11th, 2018 3:00PM