Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 14th, 2013 10:02AM

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

jeremy.mackenzie, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Recent slab formation in the alpine and open areas at treeline will remain sensitive to skier-triggering on Friday. Incoming storms on the weekend will push the danger level up, with the most significant change expected on Sunday.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Friday will bring little precipitation, and continued strong westerlies. Saturday will see a wave of snowfall with a bigger storm arriving Sunday. Alpine temperatures will climb to near -5 degrees.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous sluffs up to size 1.5 on steep aspects on steep lee features in the alpine. One small slab triggered (likely by a goat) on a S asp at treeline. Slab did not propagate far and fracture depth was approximately 20 to 30cm.

Snowpack Summary

Small storms have added up to 20cm of new snow at treeline and above. Soft slab formation on-going at treeline and alpine elevations. Open areas at treeline have a stiffer slab than lower altitudes.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm slab development is on-going on lee and cross loaded features in alpine and treeline areas. With persistent westerly winds these slabs are widespread on E and S aspects and will be sensitive to human triggering.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Choose well supported terrain without convexities.>Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 5

Loose Dry

Recent snow and wind is causing sluffing from very steep terrain on lee aspects. It is possible that a sluff could cause a slab avalanche on the underlying slopes.

Avoid areas with overhead hazard.>Choose ice climbs that are not exposed to avalanches from above.>Sluffs may trigger deeper instabilities.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Feb 15th, 2013 2:00PM