Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 14th, 2018 3:10PM

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.

matt.mueller, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Hazard levels will spike if we get a larger than expected snow fall. Watch for changing conditions. Loose dry avalanches may be a concern if we get 10cm or more.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Forecasts conflict at the moment. One is calling for trace amounts of snow overnight, while the other is predicting an upslope storm that could give 10-15cm. Time will tell... Temperatures tonight will fall to -22C and rise slightly to -18C tomorrow. Ridge winds will be around 30km/hr.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new, however visibility was limited.

Snowpack Summary

We had 5-10cm of snow last night near the divide. The snow came in on the tail end of the wind storm, so many alpine windslabs may be slightly buried on lee aspects. At all other elevations, the fresh wind slabs are still evident and slightly less reactive than yesterday. Unsupported terrain at treeline will be more prone to wind slab failures. As of 3pm this afternoon the latest pulse of snow has laid down about 3-5cm.

Problems

Wind Slabs

At treeline, these may be buried under the new snow that is arriving tonight. In the alpine, expect another round of fresh windslabs that will build tonight. These slabs may not bond together until later in the week.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.If triggered the storm/wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

Despite the lack of natural activity, these slabs will likely remain delicate as new snow builds on top.

Be wary of slopes that did not previously avalanche.Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.Minimize exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach run out zones.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Valid until: Feb 15th, 2018 2:00PM