Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 5th, 2014 7:54AM

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

matt.mueller, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Lots going on out there right now. With conservative terrain choices, the skiing can be very good. Between the new snow and warm temperatures, the snowpack is going through a lot of change right now.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Warm, windy and snowy. We're looking at another 10cm's by tomorrow evening with warm temperatures. The Spray Valley will see above zero, with the alpine hanging in there at -8. Valley bottom winds will stay light, but upper alpine features will see winds of up to 80km.

Avalanche Summary

One sz1 skier remote on a steep, unsupported roll near treeline and some small sluffs. Limited alpine visibility today.

Snowpack Summary

20cm's of new snow at treeline in the past 24hrs. This snow is coming fairly warm so it is settling out very quickly. There was some sluffing noted out of very steep terrain as well. This new snow is sitting on top of the older windslabs and of course the Feb 11th facet/surface hoar/crust combo, now down 70-80cm. Due to the random structure of this layer, its reactivity and bond is extremely variable. As an experiment we dug three pits within 100m of each other. We had results ranging from a hard compression test to an easy compression test. The real head scratcher came when we were all done. As we walked away, a near by slope remotely avalanched sz1. Needless to say, this layer is our main concern. There are some fresh storm slabs and wind slabs out there now, but so far they are staying put.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Unsupported terrain is the most likely place to trigger this layer. So far, this layer seems to be handling the new load reasonably well, however expect that to change at a moment's notice. Avoid big terrain while it adjusts.

Avoid unsupported slopes.>The new snow will require several days to settle and stabilize.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 5

Storm Slabs

These new slabs are teaming up with the older windslabs to form a thick layer of dense snow on top of the Feb 10. So far they seem to be getting along, but similar to the persistent slabs, this could change with just a little more wind loading.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>Avoid cross loaded slopes at or above treeline.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 6th, 2014 2:00PM