Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 28th, 2015 3:00PM

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

jeremy.mackenzie, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

The snowpack is isothermal at lower elevations. Hazard levels will be highly dependent on the quality of the overnight freeze and the extent of daytime heating and solar radiation. Keep an eye on localized conditions.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Mainly cloudy on Sunday with no precipitation expected. Alpine temperature should reach -2 Â°C, with ridge wind out of the west: at50 km/h gusting to 90 km/h. Freezing level are forecast to reach 2100 metres.

Avalanche Summary

Several loose wet up to size 2.0 observed on all aspects below 2400m. Extensive snowballing at treeline and below.

Snowpack Summary

5 to 15cm of heavy wet snow fell at treeline in the past 36hrs, with rain below 2200m. Snow conditions are isothermal below treeline and boot penetration is to ground. Thin storm slabs are present in the alpine on all aspects.

Problems

Loose Wet

A weak freeze is likely overnight Saturday, but expect the snowpack to warm up quickly Sunday as the snowpack is currently isothermal at lower elevations. Any sunny periods will also warm the snowpack rapidly.

Watch for clues, like sluffing off of cliffs, that the snowpack is warming up. >Be very cautious with gully features.>Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.>Avoid steep Southerly aspects.>Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Wind Slabs

Recently formed thin wind slabs have added to previously formed wind slabs in alpine areas. Be curious as you enter the alpine and carefully observe the bond between these wind slabs and the previous surfaces. Conditions are highly variable.

Caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.>Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Deep Persistent Slabs

The basal weak layers have been dormant of late, but warm temperatures and recent loading could awaken this persistent weak layer, especially in steep and shallow snowpack areas.

Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 5

Valid until: Mar 29th, 2015 2:00PM