Kananaskis

Rain and snow, high freezing levels and temperatures as well as strong winds are creating ideal conditions for avalanche formation and release.

Now is a good time to avoid avalanche terrain.

Evidence of a few larger avalanches was seen during todays field trip but visibility was limited. We suspect a natural avalanche cycle is ongoing at this time, large avalanche may reach down to the valley floor so be thinking about overhead terrain as you travel.

Rain soaked snow below 2000m that is likely isothermal in some thinner areas. As you climb above 2000m only the upper snowpack is moist in the top 10cm with dry snow underneath. In alpine areas, we suspect the recent snow of up to 20cm is still dry but field teams did not go into this area. Moderate to strong westerly winds were creating new windslabs in open areas and a few settlements were heard by forecasters while travelling in treeline areas. The march crust down 50-80cm has also been active in snowpack tests on solar aspects over the past few field days.

Teams essentially avoided avalanche terrain on Wednesday and we encourage other to do the same on Thursday.

High freezing levels around 2400m with light rain below this elevation and snow above. Winds will be in the moderate to strong range out of the West. Is it unlikely there will be any refreeze of the snowpack overnight.

All in all warm temps, new snow and rain, and strong winds. A good time to avoid avalanche terrain.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Avoid runout zones of large avalanche paths. Avalanches are expected to run to valley bottom.
• Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
• Wet avalanche activity may step down to deeply buried persistent weak layers at lower elevations.