Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 11th, 2019 3:00PM

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

michael.olsthoorn, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Good skiing can be found at tree line and below.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Tuesday is forecast to bring light snow with up to 5cm.Â The high is looking like -11 with moderate SW winds.Wednesday is forecast to bring mostly cloudy skies with the odd patch of sun, a high of -14c and light westerly winds.

Avalanche Summary

No avalanche activity observed or reported today.

Snowpack Summary

Pretty widespread wind slabs in the alpine from the hard drummy type to pockets of soft slab.Â The snowpack is continuing to facet with the continued cold temperatures. We have a pretty strong mid to upper snowpack that is bridgingÂ the basal facets that make up the bottom 50cm of the snow pack.Â Though a full-depth avalanche is unlikely, if it does occur it will be catastrophic. Large triggers, such as a cornice failure, or triggering from a shallow snowpack area, are possible ways to wake up the deep persistent weak layer.Â

Problems

Wind Slabs

Widespread wind slabs in alpine.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

Thin areas should are where you could wake up the basal layers. Large and steep Alpine features are still a concern.

Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to weak layers at the base of the snowpack.Carefully evaluate and use caution around thin snowpack areas.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Valid until: Feb 12th, 2019 2:00PM