Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 5th, 2014 3:00PM

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

burke.duncan, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Not much in the way of change...forecasters are still uncomfortable with the basal weakness in large and steep alpine features, especially n north aspects. The probability of triggering a slide is low but the consequences remain high.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

WednesdayÂ night is expected to be the coldest night of the current cold snap with overnight lows exceeding -35 again in the Smith-Dorrien valley.Â Winds are expected to remain in the calm to light range.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new.

Snowpack Summary

Surface facetting taking place. Sun crusts are present at all elevations on solar aspects and are remaining frozen through the day due to frigid temperatures. Alpine and treeline areas are highly variable in snow cover and condition, but wind slabs dominate the landscape. Basal weaknesses remain.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

The density of the slabs and their bridging effect are making it very hard to trigger an avalanche on this weakness. It is still present, and potentially reactive in the right terrain. Probability is going down, but consequences remain high

Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.>Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

3 - 6

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