Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 20th, 2015 7:26AM

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

matt.mueller, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Stability has improved, but the ski quality is still variable. Forecasters have had good skiing on north facing slopes at treeline.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

It looks like another decent day tomorrow. We're expecting mixed sky conditions in the AM with a clearing trend throughout later half of the day. A few scattered flurries are expected, but accumulations will be minimal. The temps will be a bit cooler with alpine highs of -12. Winds will be 15km/hr out of the north with gusts to 45 km/hr.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new.

Snowpack Summary

We had a dusting of new snow today to freshen up the skiing. Near the divide there was 8cm's and on the road there was 2cm. Not much, but enough to smooth out the icy uptracks. Below treeline there is 80-100cm's of well settled snow with no avalanche concerns. At treeline the snowpack continues to be supportive and very well settled. A profile at Burtstall Pass today had 176 cm's of snow with no shears noted. Overall the treeline snowpack there is very solid with a foot penetration of only 19cm's. Stability tests showed no failures within the top 110cm's. A rare situation for us! There are some isolated windslabs lingering, but none are a huge concern. Just something to watch for and monitor as the day unfolds. In the alpine the windy appearance has returned. Most gullies are crossloaded with various windslabs. Skiing was reported to be challenging in the alpine right now.

Problems

Wind Slabs

With cooler temps these slabs will tighten up and be less concerning. Having said that, steep(40degree plus)convex terrain will be the terrain to assess and approach with some caution still.

Choose well supported terrain without convexities.>Watch for areas of hard wind slab in steep alpine features.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

The widespread cycle last week has eliminated this problem from many areas. Alpine slopes that haven't avalanched yet will still have the potential for these avalanches. Use this to help choose terrain

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

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

3 - 5

Valid until: Feb 21st, 2015 2:00PM