Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 2nd, 2015 7:07AM

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

matt.mueller, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

The ski quality has improving as the "cold snap" continues. Watch for variable distribution of the recent storm snow. We are seeing amounts vary from drainage to drainage. The hazard will directly relate to the localized snow amounts.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Snow tapering overnight tonight. We might see a few cm's yet, but nothing too significant. The overnight low will hit -22 at 2500m. Tomorrow will be mostly sunny with a few clouds. A high of -15 in the alpine. Winds will be moderate at treeline and lighter below.

Avalanche Summary

Some older loose dry were noted today, but they were all small.

Snowpack Summary

As of this afternoon the storm has left the Spray with 7cm's of new snow. At valley bottom this has done little to change the snowpack. The crust is now down 5-10cm's. At treeline the new snow has worked with the cold temps to create pretty good skiing on polar aspects. The storm snow sits on a 20cm thick layer of facetted snow that was formally soft windslab. In immediate lee areas the storm snow has formed thin storm slabs. At the moment they are of no concern, but if more snow comes they may become an issue. The alpine has seen significant wind transport with the new snow. Stormslabs will be more widespread and potentially reactive as the loading continues.

Problems

Storm Slabs

The storm slabs are currently 10cm thick at upper treeline and alpine. If the snow continues, or the wind picks up these will grow and become something to watch for. They are limited to immediate lees at the moment.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets >

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

This layer still lingers in shallow areas. As the midpack facets more and more, it will lose its bridging properties making it easier to trigger the deeper layers. Watch for this situation in thin snowpack areas especially.

Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Valid until: Mar 3rd, 2015 2:00PM