Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 23rd, 2012 4:00PM

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

mike.koppang, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

The sun is forecast to come out on Saturday so we may see some decreases in stability on solar aspects later in the day. Also, lots of snow is available for transport so keep a close eye on the winds as you travel.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

No new snow is in the forecast for the upcoming weekend. Skies are looking to be clear and winds are forecast to be light at the higher elevations. Clear skies will cause stability to decrease on solar aspects later in the day so keep an eye on your thermomotor.

Avalanche Summary

1 new sz 2.5 avalanche on a N aspect at 2300m on the Buller Corner slide paths. Extended the trim lines along its left margin of the runout taking out mature timber. Extensive sluffing out of steeper terrain up to size 1.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 20cm low density new snow. Very little wind affect in Alpine or treeline terrain. New snow is burying the previous windslabs that were being encountered at treeline and above in open areas. Loose snow is sluffing easily in steeper terrain with skier traffic. Valentines day Surface hoar down 145cm in the Heros Bowl area and it beginning to settle out and strengthen in SOME areas. Still a concern in our mind as we travel.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Windslabs are being found at treeline and above in immediate lee's. These slabs are now buried by the the recent 20-30cm of snow that fell on Thursday making them tougher for skiers to locate. Use caution as you approach more wind affected area.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Loose Dry

Loose snow is sluffing easily in steeper terrain. Be aware of "power sluffing" in steeper areas. Extensive sluffing was observed on Friday from steeper terrain on all aspects

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

The surface hoar interface is buried 125-150cm at treeline and above. Field tests are showing that this layer is strengthening and becoming harder for a skier to trigger but don't let it slip from you mind as you travel.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 6

Valid until: Mar 24th, 2012 9:00AM