Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 3rd, 2016 3:00PM

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

matt.mueller, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Windslabs are the major concern these days. The alpine slabs are variable and require some attention.

Summary

Confidence

High - Due to the number and quality of field observations

Weather Forecast

Tonight: Mainly cloudy. Alpine low of -14. SW winds 35km/hrTomorrow: Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries. Alpine high -8. West winds 40km/hr with gusts up to 75km/hr

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new.

Snowpack Summary

Below treeline, surface facetting is apparent in the top 10cm. The crust from last week is only evident at lower elevations. The Jan 6th facet/surface hoar layer is down 20-30. Overall the below treeline snowpack is still weak with ski penetration of 10cm. At treeline, open areas have a series of laminated windslabs that had weaknesses within the overall layer. Tests revealed 2 dense wind slabs with facets in between (east compression test, sudden planar). At treeline the Jan 6th facet interface is down 60-80cm and reasonably well bonded in all 3 of today's test profiles (hard compression test, resistent planar). The alpine is still showing the affects of the wind event with distinct cross loading and lee loading patterns. Snow depths at Burstall Pass and Mud Lake is 127 and 92 respectively.

Problems

Wind Slabs

This problem describes a series of 4 to 5 individual windslabs that are sitting on top of one another. IN some cases, the bonds are weak. Tests today revealed a troubling weakness (facets between two dense windslabs) down 20-30cm.

Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.>Choose well supported terrain without convexities.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Persistent Slabs

This interface is slowly getting better. It is getting harder to trigger, but the consequences are growing if it is triggered. Thin areas are likely trigger points.

Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 5

Valid until: Feb 4th, 2016 2:00PM