Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Feb 22 – 23, 2015Alberta Parks
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

There is still good skiing to be had on sheltered polar aspects.  Watch out for reverse loaded slopes and keep an eye out for rising temps.  PW

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    Some of these have occurred due to reverse loading, from northerly winds.  Slabs up to 30cm have been formed in the immediate lee of ridgelines. 

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    The previously formed wind slabs are still lurking under the latest snow.  Keep an eye out for this in the alpine and exposed treeline elevations on steeper features.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    3–5
    Keep an eye out for cornices as possible large triggers, especially when the sun comes out and the temps begin to rise.  This basal weakness is still on our radar.

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Tomorrow will see a mix of sun and cloud, but will be warming to near zero in the alpine.  Freezing levels are expected to climb to 2200m.  The winds will be light from the north.

Avalanche Summary

There were numerous skier initiated sluffs in steep(>40) terrain, but the sluffs were not running far and slowed to where the angle eased to 35deg. or less.

Snowpack Summary

The storm snow has settled dramatically on southern aspects due to solar effect, but up to 12cm of low density snow remains on the surface on polar aspects.  There has been evidence of reverse loading wind effect at upper exposed treeline and alpine elevations and soft slabs have formed in the immediate lees of features at these elevations.  A test pit today at treeline elevations showed the upper snowpack to be healing and gaining strength.  The pit was in a sheltered area, but exposed areas at this elevation have seen some wind.  The mid-pack is gaining strength but weak facetted grains still dominate the base of the snowpack.  At 2400m there is a discernable crust on solar aspects and 2100m and below there is a crust on all aspects under the most recent snow. 

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