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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 11th, 2019–Mar 12th, 2019
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Kananaskis.

Heads Up!!!!  New wind slabs in the alpine and at tree line.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Tuesday will bring light flurries and strong SW winds in the morning with winds diminishing and snow developing after lunch.  Snow amounts are expected to be12cm with a high temperature of -5c.

Avalanche Summary

Few new slab avalanches  were observed on SW to NE faces .

Snowpack Summary

Widespread wind slab in the alpine and treeline from the strong SW winds over the last 24hours. Time for heads up for lee and cross loaded features that have experienced substantial wind loading  The formerly strong midpack has been decimated by a month of cold weather and is now highly variable in its density, with many areas exhibiting no structure at all. Much of the region's snowpack consists of recent wind slabs sitting on up to 80cm of depth hoar and facets. It will be interesting to see how the snowpack adjusts to the recent load and the forecasted warm temperatures. It is likely that full-depth avalanches will become more commonplace in the next few days.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

The strong winds have left us with new wind slabs in the alpine and upper treeline.
Carefully evaluate terrain features by digging and testing on adjacent, safe slopes. Caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

What will wake up this layer? A skier/rider in a thin shallow snowpack area? Warmer temps with some solar radiation? A cornice failure? This layer deserves respect as any resulting avalanche will be full depth.
Be aware of the potential for wide propagations due to the presence of hard windslabs.Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3

Loose Dry

Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline. Recent storm snow has formed touchy slabs.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2