Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 18th, 2019–Mar 19th, 2019

Alpine

4: High

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high

Treeline

4: High

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high

Below Treeline

4: High

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be high

Alpine

4: High

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high

Treeline

4: High

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high

Below Treeline

4: High

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be high

Alpine

4: High

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high

Treeline

4: High

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high

Below Treeline

4: High

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be high

Regions: Kananaskis.

Avoid avalanche terrain. The snowpack is not adjusting well to the rapid change to warm temperatures and intense solar radiation.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

This week's weather looks sunny and hot for the duration. Tuesday should see high temperatures near +6 at ridge-top and freezing levels climbing to 3100m. Winds will be light from the North. Wednesday and Thursday look similar, if not a bit warmer.

Avalanche Summary

More avalanche activity again today, with slides up to size 2.5. Numerous loose wet avalanches occurred at all elevations. At Treeline and Alpine elevations wind slabs and deep persistent slabs were again active on all aspects.

Snowpack Summary

As we quickly enter spring, the alpine snowpack is changing...FAST! The sudden spike in temperatures and solar exposure are making crusts more of a widespread layer. Expect them on any slope that sees the sun. On the shaded aspects, we have those lingering wind slabs to worry about. All evidence points to these wind slabs being very sensitive to temperature changes. The lack of support within the snowpack is preventing any sort of anchoring. Treeline has a similar issue, only the wind slabs are thinner and not as widespread. The treeline slabs may be even touchier because of their thin nature and shorter recover (re-freeze) time at night.To share an opinion, this year's snowpack has a character that we haven't seen before. We have a long history with facets and depth hoar, but this year's crop is off the charts. As such, we feel it's necessary to acknowledge the uncertainty by avoiding large terrain right now. The snowpack has no trustworthy qualities right now.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs have become active with the recent heat, and recent avalanches have occurred on all aspects.

Caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Loose Wet

Loose wet slides will occur on solar aspects at all elevations as temps warm up. Steep thin areas will be more vulnerable to this type of activity. They may trigger slabs as they gain mass.

If triggered the loose wet sluffs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Very Likely - Certain

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

Warmer temps have woken up this layer. Shallow snowpack areas and cornice triggers are of particular concern. This problem deserves respect as any resulting avalanche will be full depth.

Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.Be aware of the potential for wide propagations due to the presence of hard windslabs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size: 2 - 3