Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 15th, 2017 3:00PM

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

mike.koppang, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Temps are forecast to cool on Thursday which should begin to tighten up the snowpack.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

Weather for Thursday:Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries.Precipitation: Trace.Alpine temperature: High -4 °C.Ridge wind southwest: 40-55 km/h.Freezing level: 1800 metres.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed on Wednesday but observations were limited.

Snowpack Summary

The warm temperatures are helping the upper snowpack to settle and producing moist snow on steeper solar aspects. At tree line 50-60cm of settled snow is overlying a facet layer that is about 70cm down producing hard test results. The bottom quarter of the snowpack is weak and consists of facets, depth hoar and the early season crusts. Expect continued wind transport for Wednesday especially on lee features and cross loaded gullies.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Wind affected upper snowpack is everywhere in the alpine.

Avoid slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if they have large cornices overhead.Use conservative route selection, choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.Avoid cross loaded slopes at or above treeline.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

Many avalanches have stepped to this layer. Very large avalanches can be expected if this layer is involved. Large triggers(cornices) may wake this layer up.

Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 4

Valid until: Feb 16th, 2017 2:00PM