Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Mar 23 – 24, 2017Alberta Parks
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Human triggering of avalanches will continue to be a concern for the rest of the season.  The sun is making snow moist on solar aspects.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    2–3
    Wind slabs are found on all aspects. Above 2200m these slabs are more prevalent. An avalanche triggered in the upper snowpack could step down to the weak basal layers.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–4
    There is still a real concern for larger overhead exposure, especially for those features that have not yet avalanched.

Confidence

-

Weather Forecast

Friday is calling for cloudy skies with scattered flurries.  Alpine temperature will be -5c with ridge winds from the southwest of 30-40k/htr.  Freezing level is expected to be 1900m.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed today but the places that have not gone look primed to go. The forecasters are still avoiding any exposure to larger slopes overhead. Avalanches that have occurred over the past weak were very large, had wide propagations and failed in the basal weak layers. In many cases these slides have been reaching or exceeding historic run-outs.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 10cm of recent snow overlies a supportive crust layer. Above 2200m this crust begins to deteriorate. In Alpine and Treeline wind slabs are found on all aspects, but expect deeper deposits on lee and cross-loaded features.  Moist snow is found on solar aspects from the strong solar radiation. The lower 125cm of the snowpack consists of facets and depth hoar. This critical weakness will persist for the rest of the season.

Regions covered