Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 8th, 2015 8:07AM

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

jeremy.mackenzie, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Wind slabs seem to be more sensitive to triggering in the past 24 hours. Keep an eye on solar radiation as we transition into more spring like conditions.

Summary

Confidence

Good - Freezing levels are uncertain

Weather Forecast

A mix of sun and cloud with mild temperatures over the next couple of days. Westerly winds gusting to 85km/h are expected on Monday. No new snow is expected.

Avalanche Summary

Report came in late yesterday of a skier triggered avalanche on the South face of Mt. Nestor, This was a size 2.0 that initiated at 2700m and ran well down into the track. This avalanche was a surface wind slab that stepped down to the November facets.There was also a small wind slab (size 1.0) that was naturally triggered in the past 24hrs on a steep wind affected East aspect at 2300m.

Snowpack Summary

Widespread wind affect in Alpine and open areas at Treeline on all aspects. There are areas of hard wind slab, soft wind slab, sastrugi and breakable wind crust. Below 2300m ski conditions improve on polar aspects. Solar aspects were going moist by midday.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Steep and shallow snowpack terrain should still be considered suspect. A skier triggered avalanche occurred yesterday on a steep solar aspect in the alpine.

Cornices become weak with daytime heating, so travel early on exposed slopes.>Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.>Choose well supported terrain without convexities.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 5

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs are now widespread in the alpine and open areas at treeline. These slabs are becoming more sensitive to triggering, especially in convex and unsupported terrain.

Caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Loose Wet

The March sun is hot and solar radiation will lead to an increase in hazard on solar aspects in the afternoon.

Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.>

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 9th, 2015 2:00PM