Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 29th, 2016 7:16AM

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

matt.mueller, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Snow and wind will arrive late tomorrow afternoon. Expect slabs to build quickly due to the warming air temps and relatively warm snow temps. Last night helped to refresh the skiing with 10-15cm of new snow.

Summary

Confidence

High

Weather Forecast

A few flurries are expected tomorrow. With any luck, we'll get 6cm or so out of them. The temps will be relatively warm and max out at -2 in the low alpine. The winds will be mostly light tonight and tomorrow, but there are gusts up to 50km/hr expected for both days.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches noted today.

Snowpack Summary

10-15 cm's of new snow fell last night. The winds that accompanied the snow have created new storm slabs at treeline and alpine elevations. These slabs are concentrated on east to south aspects and near ridges. The underlying surface for this new snow will be a variety of crusts on low elevations, crusts on south aspects, and windslabs in the alpine. At all elevations, the concerning layers from last week have healed up well making for a relatively strong snowpack.

Problems

Storm Slabs

The winds will keep these slabs limited to immediate lee areas. This includes cross loaded gullies.

Avoid cross loaded slopes at or above treeline.>Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

These are lingering at upper treeline and alpine elevations. Steep terrain is still concerning.

Choose well supported terrain without convexities.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

These remain on the list of problems to look for because of the variability within the snowpack. Probing and digging is the best tool to find and assess this layer.

Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices.>Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

2 - 5

Valid until: Mar 1st, 2016 2:00PM