Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 25th, 2012 3:00PM

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

mike.koppang, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

The Valentine's layers continue to be very reactive to skier traffic, especially the buried surface hoar. A party remotely triggered an avalanche from 25 metres away. This is a good time to stick to simple terrain or spend the day at a ski hill (JM).

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Up to 10cm additional snowfall expected through Sunday. Winds to be mostly light with generally cool temperatures.

Avalanche Summary

Very limited observations due to weather conditions. One Sr(25m) on E aspect at 2000m triggered from an uptrack.

Snowpack Summary

7cm Hn. At 2000m 120213 layers buried 30cm. CTE(1)(SP) down 30cm on SH.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Soft slabs are widespread in all wind affected areas. Forecasters observed cracking and settlements today. Field tests produced easy results (CTE 1) on the Valentine's layers which are buried between 30 and 60cm. Remote triggering is a real concern.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 6

Cornices

Continued snowfalls and moderate to strong winds at higher elevations have caused cornices to grow large and fail in some areas. Failures have triggered avalanches up to size 2.5 on the underlying slopes.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

2 - 5

Deep Persistent Slabs

Weak facets and depth hoar linger at the base of the snowpack. Thin steep areas are the most likely trigger points. This problem is still a low probability issue, but with high potential consequences.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

3 - 6

Valid until: Feb 26th, 2012 8:00AM