Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 22nd, 2018 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.

matt.mueller, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Alpine windslabs are the main concern right now. Triggering will be difficult, but if it happens expect a large avalanche.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

It will remain chilly for another day... Tomorrow's high temp will be -17C. Winds will increase to 45km/hr and be out of the west. No snow.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new today.

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack doesn't start to become interesting until treeline. Once a month we go to Burstall Pass and dig a profile in a specific area. Today was that day. What we found was a stroll down memory lane. The early season crusts are still there, but they've been pushed to the ground. The problematic Dec 15 layer is down about a meter and seemingly stabilizing. Both of our surface hoar layers are still there, but same thing. No results in any sort of snow test. It's hard to say, but mid-pack layers are getting along much better these days. It's worth noting that the alpine is wind ravaged. Windslabs are pretty much everywhere, and the skiing looks challenging. But, sheltered treeline areas have decent snow. The cold has helped the surface layers facet out and soften.

Problems

Wind Slabs

The extended cold has just begun to break these slabs down. At treeline, many slabs have begun to fade away, but the alpine still looks heavily wind affected.

Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.Evaluate unsupported slopes critically.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

Large triggers are still a concern. It's safe to say we're in the "low probability/high consequence" situation.

Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3.5

Valid until: Feb 23rd, 2018 2:00PM