Avalanche forecast

South Rockies

Mar 10 – 11, 2015Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Slightly cooler and cloudier conditions are expected. We shouldn't see much precipitation, but if we do then danger could be higher.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Although there's probably not much loose snow to blow around, watch for older, hard wind slabs in exposed lee terrain. These could remain sensitive to triggering in isolated areas, particularly on warm sunny afternoons. 

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Both loose wet sluffs and cornice falls are a concern while the weather remains sunny and warm.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    3–6
    Deeper weaknesses still exist and remain a concern in shallow rocky areas or anywhere the thick near-surface crust is weakening or non-existent, specially north aspects above 2200m.

Confidence

Fair - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Check out the weather tab above for the detailed synopsis.Wednesday: Mainly cloudy with a slight chance of showers or flurries. The freezing level starts near 3000 m and should lower to 2200 m by the end of the day. Winds are moderate to strong from the SW. Thursday: A mix of sun and cloud. The freezing level is steady around 2200 m and winds are moderate from the SW. Friday: Mainly sunny. The freezing level spikes to 3000 m and winds are light.

Avalanche Summary

On Sunday, a skier-triggered slab released on a weak layer near the ground in Kananaskis Country. Otherwise there has been no new avalanche activity reported from the region.

Snowpack Summary

The snow surface consists of wind-affected snow or wind-scoured crusts in exposed alpine areas, moist snow or sun crust on sun-exposed slopes, or 5-10cm of dry snow overlying an old crust in shady and sheltered areas. At higher elevations, recent winds may have built thin wind slabs in leeward features. Lower elevations are undergoing daily springtime melt-freeze cycles. The most prominent snowpack feature is a thick supportive crust 10-30cm below the surface. It extends up to around 2200m elevation. Below this elevation the crust is effectively capping the snowpack, preventing riders from stressing deeper persistent weak layers. In alpine areas where the crust is not present or is less thick, dormant persistent weak layers may still be lingering and could wake-up with heavy loading or strong warming.

Regions covered