Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 25th, 2017 3:00PM

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

matt.mueller, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

We've changed to MOD in the alpine. This does not mean the radar can be turned off, it does allow for large avalanches. Inspect the snowpack carefully before committing to larger terrain.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries tomorrow. Westerly winds at 15km/hr and a high of -16°.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new was noted today.

Snowpack Summary

Not a lot of change in the last 24hrs. There has been no new snow and the snowpack has settled slightly in the last day. The winds did pick up today causing some snow transport in the alpine, but not enough to negatively impact the avalanche hazard. A buried suncrust is evident at low elevations and solar slopes up to 2200m. The basal layers remain the main concern and tend to be down 80-100cm from the surface.

Problems

Wind Slabs

These have been an issue in steep convex terrain and below cliffs. Cross-loaded areas at upper treeline and alpine could be freshly loaded with the recent wind.

Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.Avoid freshly wind loaded features.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

The buried hardslab is the concern here. Probing with a ski pole is the best way to monitor its location. Expect wide propagations if it does get triggered.

Minimize exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach run out zones.Be aware of the potential for wide propagations.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

We are approaching the "low probability, high consequence" phase of the winter. Respect the potential for this layer to react to large triggers, or weak shallow areas.

Avoid steep convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Valid until: Feb 26th, 2017 2:00PM