Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 4th, 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.

jeremy.mackenzie, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Forecasters are still uncomfortable with the basal weakness in large and steep Alpine features, particularly on North aspects. The probability of triggering a slide is low, but consequences remain high.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Continued cold temperatures with a range of -32 to -23 for the next 24hrs. Winds will be light to moderate from the North, pushing wind chill values to the extreme. No precipitation is expected for at least the next several days.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 1cm of new snow overnight. Surface facetting. 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 the basal 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.>Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

3 - 6

Valid until: Feb 5th, 2014 2:00PM