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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 29th, 2020–Mar 1st, 2020
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Kananaskis.

Recent snow is refreshing the skiing in many areas but...the winds are making for tricky "hooky" skiing in open alpine terrain. Skier trigger-able windslabs are quickly building with the new snow and warm temps. Give the new snow a few days to settle. 

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

We may see a few more cm of snow fall overnight but the main pulse is done. On Sunday we are expecting to see the winds calm down early in the day but then build again up to moderate out of the west by the later afternoon. A mix of sun and cloud is forecast with temperatures in the -18c range early in the morning.  

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed or reported by skies were obscured most of the day. 

Snowpack Summary

15cm of snow has fallen over the past 24hrs at treeline and above. This new snow has been blown around by moderate to strong westerly winds building new windslabs at treeline and above. Forecasters did notice some cracking up to 20cm deep in treeline features and we do expect the windslabs to be deeper and more reactive in the alpine. Carefully evaluate these new windslabs especially in areas where they are overlying the temperature crust that developed on friday. Cornices are large and growing....  

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Watch your sluff: it may run faster and further than you expect.
  • Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

The recent snow and strong winds are building windslabs in alpine terrain and isolated areas at treeline. Forecasters were observing cracking while travelling along ridgelines on Saturday. 

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Cornices

Cornices are growing at this time with the new snow, strong winds and warm temps. If they fail, its likely they will trigger a windslabs or deep persistent slab on the underlying slopes. 

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 2 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

There is a small chance the new load will overload the deep layers. We are expecting a significant rapid loading pulse early in the storm. Sparsely treed areas and thin crossloaded terrain are likely areas to cause trouble.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3