Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 2nd, 2013 9:10AM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is high, and the below treeline rating is considerable. Known problems include Storm Slabs, Cornices and Loose Dry.

jeremy.mackenzie, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Another 15 to 20cm of snow will add to the already 40cm+ of storm snow. The recent snowfall, winds and warm temps have led to widespread storm slab and cornice development. Avalanche activity will continue Sunday. It's time for conservative choices!

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Weather Forecast

5 to 10cm of snow (rain at lower elevations) is possible overnight Saturday with temperatures slowly dropping. Sunday could bring another 10cm under cooler conditions. winds will be moderate and variable, swapping form the NW to the NE. The storm should end by midnight on Sunday.

Avalanche Summary

Several cornice triggered and naturally triggered slabs were observed today up to size 2.0. These occurred mostly on SE and NE aspects mostly in alpine start zones. Most of the slides observed had significant run-outs. Loose wet avalanches at lower altitudes were also observed today on all aspects up to size 1.5.

Snowpack Summary

20 to 25cm of heavy, dense snow fell overnight with storm snow totals now near 40cm at treeline. Widespread storm slab development in alpine and treeline areas. Cornices are growing and several cornice collapses were observed today. Moist snow exists below 1900m due to light rain through the day.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An additional 20cm+ in the next 24hrs will add to the already 40cm of storm snow. Slab development is extensive in lee and cross-loaded terrain. Prime conditions exist for human triggering.

Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, as large avalanches may reach the end of runout zones.>Avoid all avalanche terrain.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Very Likely

Expected Size

2 - 5

Cornices

Cornices have grown significantly in the past 48hrs and several cornice failures occurred today which triggered slab avalanches on the slopes below.

Do not travel on slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.>Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, as large avalanches may reach the end of runout zones.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Very Likely

Expected Size

2 - 5

Loose Dry

Forecasted heavy snowfall and moderate winds will lead to sluffing from steep terrain at all elevations.

Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.>Avoid travelling under cliffs that are exposed to sluffing from above.>The volume of sluffing could knock you over; choose your climb carefully and belay when exposed.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Mar 3rd, 2013 2:00PM