Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 25th, 2013 8:08AM

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

burke.duncan, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Strong winds will conspire to keep danger ratings in alpine terrain at Considerable for another day or two. Rising temperatures as the week moves along mean it may become necessary to keep a watchful eye on solar aspects for concerns.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Due to variable snowpack conditions

Weather Forecast

Only a couple of centimeters of new snow is expected over the next 24 hours and only dribs and drabs over the remainder of the week.Â Winds are expected to remain in the moderate to strong values range.Â Temperatures will rise as the week progresses.

Avalanche Summary

A few loose dry sluffs from extreme lee aspects.Â No other natural avalanche activity observed.

Snowpack Summary

Some redistribution of loose snow in all elevation zones with fresh slabs continuing to develop on lee aspects

Problems

Wind Slabs

Soft slabs are prominent at treeline and have become more sensitive to human triggering in the past 24hrs, especially in lee and cross-loaded features just below ridgeline. Alpine areas are scoured with areas of hard slab and soft slab.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.>Be aware of thin areas that may propagate to deeper instabilites.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

2 - 5

Persistent Slabs

Buried wind slabs (originally formed in late January) are still are concern in steep features in the alpine and at treeline. These slabs are found down 30 to 60cm in the snowpack and are likely more trigger-able from shallow snowpack areas.

Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Valid until: Feb 26th, 2013 2:00PM