Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 24th, 2015 3:00PM

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

jeremy.mackenzie, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Fast travel conditions at the moment. Start your trip early and finish early to avoid the destabilizing effects of solar radiation and daytime heating.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Another cloudy day is expected on Wednesday with strong west winds and freezing levels near 1900m. A warming trend is forecast for Thursday and Friday with very high freezing levels and the possibility of mixed snow/rain.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new was observed or reported today.

Snowpack Summary

2 to 4cm of new snow overnight with up to 10cm of storm snow at treeline. This storm snow overlies a variety of previous surfaces including wind slabs, sun crust and rain crust at lower elevations. Recent cool temperatures have solidified the crusts and these are now supportive to the weight of a skier. Solar radiation is intense at this time of year and even brief clear periods are causing the surface snow to become moist on solar aspects. Wind slabs are still prominent in lee and cross-loaded features in the alpine and these reach down into isolated upper treeline terrain. The basal weak layers persist and concern remains for triggering this layer in steep and shallow snowpack features.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Lee and cross-loaded features in the alpine are places to watch for wind slabs. They may also be found in isolated areas at treeline.

Caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Loose Wet

Solar radiation is intense at this time of year and even brief sunny periods can have a destabilizing effect on solar aspects.

Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.>

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

The basal facet/depth hoar combination is alive and well. Triggering is still a concern in steep and shallow snowpack areas.

Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

2 - 5

Valid until: Mar 25th, 2015 2:00PM