Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 23rd, 2017 3:05PM

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

matt.mueller, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Localized flurries are gradually building the snowpack. Good skiing can be found in sheltered, moderate angle terrain. We're still not recommending big terrain because of the unpredictable nature of the basal layers.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Light winds overnight tonight with trace amounts of snow. Tomorrow will see some light convective flurries, hopefully bringing 4cm of snow. Winds will stay light at all elevations and the daytime high will hit -14°.

Avalanche Summary

Some small loose dry avalanches were noted today. They did not travel far and did not trigger any slabs.

Snowpack Summary

Flurries have left us with 5-10cm of new snow on the Spray and as much as 15cm closer to the divide. This new snow is settling fast on solar aspects at all elevations. On steep solar aspects there is a buried suncrust (feb 17th) down 20-30cm. Beneath this snow, the upper pack remains well settled with denser slabs as the 50cm depth is reached. Immediately below this settled upper pack is the much weaker basal layers. This layer varies between 30-50cm and is a dog's breakfast of crusts, facets and depth hoar.

Problems

Wind Slabs

These slabs are now lightly buried under the new snow from the last few days. So far these have been an issue in steep convex terrain and below cliffs. Crossloaded areas at treeline also have the slabs, however these are a bit more stubborn.

If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

Triggering this layer is still a possibility in thin areas. Expect large propagations.

Minimize exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach run out zones.Be aware of the potential for wide propagations.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

We are approaching the "low probability, high consequence" phase of the winter. Respect the potential for this layer to react to large triggers, or weak shallow areas.

Avoid steep convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Valid until: Feb 24th, 2017 2:00PM