Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 6th, 2018 3:06PM

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

michael.olsthoorn, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Good skiing today. Wind slabs in the alpine. We are at a transition where natural avalanches have slowed down, yet human triggered avalanches are still a concern.

Summary

Confidence

Weather Forecast

Wednesday is to bring cloudy skies with scattered flurries. Alpine temperatures will be around -7c with west winds of 30km/h. The next snow is to begin late Wednesday night and bring around 20cm by the end of Thursday.

Avalanche Summary

One size 2 avalanche was noticed near the summit of Mount Nestor.

Snowpack Summary

The recent HST has settled to 40-50cm. Wind slabs are present on all aspects in the alpine. Jan 6 SH was found down 90cm at 2000m with no results; yet it was very reactive one valley over two days ago. We have low confidence in adventuring into big terrain.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Present on all aspects

Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Persistent Slabs

The Jan 6th surface hoar is down 100cm and the Dec 15 is down 120cm. Any slide on these layers would produce large avalanches.

Carefully evaluate terrain features by digging and testing on adjacent, safe slopes.Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3.5

Valid until: Feb 7th, 2018 2:00PM