Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 2nd, 2017 3:02PM

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

matt.mueller, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Expect a drastic change in snow stability when the predicted storm arrives. Tomorrow looks reasonable, but the storm could be early.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Tomorrow will see only trace amounts of snow as the incoming weather approaches. Winds will be light from the west and a daytime high of -11. We are expecting a storm to come in over the week-end. The snow amounts are uncertain right now, but we may see upwards of 30cm.

Avalanche Summary

On a snow survey flight today, only one new avalanche was noted. It was a sz2 that came out out of a crossloaded moraine feature. It had stepped down through the various windslabs.

Snowpack Summary

Widespread wind affect can be found in the alpine and open treeline areas. This translates to a hard slab resting on top of the very weak mid to lower snowpack. Not a lot of cracking or whumphing was noted today, but hollow sounding slabs are very common. On east aspects there are still pockets of wind sifted snow that offers some good skiing. Below treeline is the same old story. Mostly a weak and un-supportive snowpack.

Problems

Wind Slabs

These slabs are slow to bond. Expect them to be reactive for the next few days.

Avoid steep lee and cross-loaded featuresBe careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

If these slabs react, expect a large propagation, and likely a step down to deeper layers.

Avoid unsupported slopes.Be aware of the potential for wide propagations due to the presence of hard windslabs.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

Surface slabs and thin areas can potentially wake this layer up. Thin areas should be treated with caution.

Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Feb 3rd, 2017 2:00PM