Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 27th, 2015 7:25AM

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

matt.mueller, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

We've hit an unusually stable period for late February! Remember that "low" hazard doesn't mean no hazard. Small avalanches are still possible in extreme terrain or isolated areas.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

The alpine over night low will be -18 with light winds. Tomorrow will be a mix of sun and cloud. Alpine highs will be around -9 with a light north wind. No snow is expected. Freezing levels are predicted to be at valley bottom, but with the sun we can expect localized areas to have a higher freezing level.

Avalanche Summary

No activity today

Snowpack Summary

A few more cm's last night have added to the week's totals. Light winds last night have blown the new snow around creating insignificant storm slabs and exposing the underlying layers in many places. The alpine has variable wind slab distribution at the moment. In sheltered areas at treeline, there is an average of 20cm's on top of the Feb 16th crust. The crust itself has begun to break down with the cold temps. In most areas it does not effect the ski quality. The buried windslabs are well bonded and sit on top of depth hoar and facets. There are no changes below treeline, and no avalanche concerns at the moment.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Forecasters found variable windslabs in the alpine today. Small hard slabs were common near ridge lines. There are also a series of multiple slabs that are all laminated together in open areas. Inspect these interfaces as you travel.

Avoid traveling on ledges and cliffs where small avalanches may have severe consequences.>

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

This problem presents as a layer of depth hoar at the base of the snowpack. To get this going we need either a large trigger or to hit the shallow "sweet spot" while skiing. Steep, shallow areas with a hard slab on top should be treated with caution.

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

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Valid until: Feb 28th, 2015 2:00PM