Avalanche Forecast
Kananaskis Country, Alberta Parks
Freezing levels are forecast to climb to 2400m throughout the day on Saturday with light snowfalls. If the sun does poke through the clouds expect stability to decrease on solar aspects.
Avalanche Problem 1: Wind Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Evaluate unsupported slopes critically.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
Avalanche Problem 2: Persistent Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
The March 15th melt-freeze crust, buried 30-50cm on solar aspects, could be an issue on bigger slopes, particularly in the Alpine. Evaluate the snowpack for the presence/absence of this problem layer before committing to a terrain feature.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Avoid steep Southerly aspects.
Avalanche Problem 3: Cornices
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Cornices are large and looming over slopes at the moment. If the warm temperatures arrive cornice collapses could be a major concern. Keep an eye on the snow and the temps.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.
Avalanche Summary
One thin sz 1 windslab was noted near Mt Chester in a steep crossloaded gully on a NW aspect. Otherwise no new avalanche activity was observed.
Snowpack Summary
Winds increased overnight on Thursday and stiffened up the previous windslabs that existed in the upper snowpack. These winds were variable so be on guard for these slabs as you approach ridgelines and around crossloaded features on all aspects. On friday forecasters encountered these slabs up to 15cm thick in one valley and non-existent in the next valley less than 1km away. A thin melt freeze crust also developed earlier in the week and can be found on all aspects except true north below 2000m and as high as 2400m on solar. Cornices are large so travel cautiously around them.
Weather Forecast
Saturdays forecast is calling for flurries beginning in the afternoon and a warming trend with freezing levels climbing to 2400m later in the day. Some of this precipitation may fall as rain at lower elevations. Winds are forecast to be out of the south at 15-30km/hr.
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Wind slabs are being encountered along ridgelines in alpine terrain. These slabs do not extend far downslope but are present in lee terrain.