Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 18th, 2012 9:00AM

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

jeremy.mackenzie, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Light to very light flurries will continue for the next few days. Although this will slowly add load to the buried layers of surface hoar, facets and sun crust, little change in the danger level is expected.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain for the entire period

Weather Forecast

Light to very light flurries to continue over the next 48 to 72 hours. Winds remain moderate to strong form the western quadrant.

Avalanche Summary

Snowpack Summary

Problems

Wind Slabs

Skier triggerable windslabs up to 35cm deep are being observed along ridgelines in alpine areas and in isolated terrain features such as gullies and cross-loaded bowls at treeline. A size 1.0 skier accidental slab occurred on Tent Ridge on Friday.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Loose Dry

Loose unconsolidated surface snow is sluffing easily with skier traffic in steeper terrain. This snow could easily knock a skier or climber down carrying them into a hazard.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

Weak facets and depth hoar still linger at the base of the snowpack. Thin steep areas are places skiers should be thinking about possibly triggering this basal problem. Even though danger is rated as moderate, be thinking about consequences.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 6

Valid until: Feb 19th, 2012 9:00AM