Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 27th, 2014 3:00PM

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

jeremy.mackenzie, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

The danger levels are slowly improving, but cautious route selection is still required due to concerns with the Feb 10th layer. The bond at this interface is highly variable and needs to be investigated carefully before committing to a feature.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Cold air will invade the area again on Friday and through the weekend with temperatures dropping into the -20 and -30 range. Winds will be from the North on Friday up to 25km/h. Although tonight could bring very light flurries, no further precipitation is expected through the weekend.

Avalanche Summary

Very isolated solar-triggered loose wet avalanches up to size 1.0 from yesterday's heat were observed today. Very isolated loose dry in steep Alpine terrain have also been observed in the past 24 to 48hrs.

Snowpack Summary

Snowpack settling. Steep solar aspects now have a sun crust on the surface from the intense radiation yesterday. The Feb 10th layer down 35 to 70cm still produces moderate to hard results in compression tests. The midpack remains strong in areas near the divide, but it is weaker in areas further to the East. Isolated whumpfing and cracking continue to be observed.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

The Feb 10 persistent weak layer is highly variable in nature (a mix of facets, sun crust, wind slab, surface hoar) and is still producing moderate to hard shears down 35 to 70cm in the snowpack. Isolated whumpfing and cracking continues.

Avoid steep, open slopes.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Use caution in lee areas in the alpine. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Feb 28th, 2014 2:00PM