Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 26th, 2015 7:41AM

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

matt.mueller, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Be aware that a low rating does not rule out all avalanche potential. Keep the head up and still watch for localized instabilities.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

The cooling will continue for the next while. Overnight alpine lows will hit -13. Tomorrow's high will be -14. We will see some flurries as well, but amounts will be insignificant. Winds will come around to the NE and average 30km/hr at ridge line.

Avalanche Summary

A few small, isolated loose dry out of steep terrain. There was also a large natural cornice triggered avalanche above three isle lake within the past few days. This supports the large trigger idea when it comes to the deeper layers.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 5cm's fell last night in convective flurries with very little wind. The winds did pick up in the afternoon, which blew some alpine ridges clean. There is likely a few isolated storm slabs in immediate lees, but they'll be small. Aside form that not much change. A snow survey flight today had a much weaker snowpack in the southern area of the Park. The further north we moved, the better it seemed. Snow depths at treeline were about 170cm's.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

The cold has really helped this layer lock in place. It is still worth some thought as to what the consequences of your given terrain may be if it were to avalanche. Steep, unsupported terrain demands some respect still.

Avoid unsupported slopes.>Avoid traveling on ledges and cliffs where small avalanches may have severe consequences.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

Some recent cornice triggered avalanches show us that big triggers can easily hit the deeper layers and cause a slide. Be to sure to assess overhead terrain from a potential triggering perspective

Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

3 - 5

Valid until: Feb 27th, 2015 2:00PM