Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 2nd, 2014 3:00PM

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

jeremy.mackenzie, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Incoming snowfall and strong SW winds will increase the danger level over the next couple of days.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Milder conditions will move into the region tonight, bringing Alpine temperatures up to -6 degrees on Monday. Moderate to strong SW winds are expected with up to 10cm of new snow possible by the end of Monday. Tuesday could see a further 10cm of new snow accompanied by extreme SW winds.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new.

Snowpack Summary

Surface faceting continues. Sun crust on steep solar aspects. Recent winds have created thin wind slabs in cross-loaded and reverse wind-loaded features at Treeline and above in the past 48hrs. The Feb 10th persistent weak layer continues to produce shears down 30 to 70cm. The midpack remains supportive near the divide, but is significantly weaker to the east side of the range and at lower elevations.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

The Feb 10 persistent weak layer is highly variable in nature (a mix of facets, sun crust, wind slab, surface hoar) and is still producing shears down 30 to 60cm in the snowpack. Isolated whumpfing and cracking continues to occur on this layer.

Choose well supported terrain without convexities.>Avoid cross loaded slopes at or above treeline.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Mar 3rd, 2014 2:00PM