Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 15th, 2013 8:34AM

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

mike.koppang, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Lots of variation in snowpack depths throughout the forecast region. Some areas are weak with punchy facets to ground...ugh. Good skiing in sheltered areas below treeline. Question is, can you find it. MM/MK

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather is uncertain on Saturday

Weather Forecast

New snow is expected to reach the forecast region beginning Saturday afternoon and continuing overnight on saturday.Â Amounts are likely to be between 10-15cm and winds are expected to be strong out of the NW so slab development will be ongoing throughout the storm.Â Temps are becomming more "Winter like"

Avalanche Summary

No new Obs

Snowpack Summary

Recent storm snow continues to settle under the influence of mild temps.Â Strong SW flow continues and as a result, storm slabs up to 30cm thick continue to build in Alpine terrain and in isolated areas at TL. Lower elevation terrain is weak and facetted and overall in Alpine areas, a high amount of variability exists in the current snowpack with some areas only 30-40cm deep and others over 2m. Lots of full depth facetting on Mt Engadine burn on Friday.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Windslabs are being encountered on lee and cross loaded features in alpine and treeline areas. These slabs are up to 30thick and reactive to skier traffic in certain terrain (see list)

Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>Avoid cross loaded slopes at or above treeline.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 5

Valid until: Feb 16th, 2013 2:00PM