Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 16th, 2017 3:09PM

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.

matt.mueller, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

The snowpack will tighten up and improve as the cold returns. The warmth has penetrated deep into the snowpack at treeline and below. Remember that it may take some time for the cold to sink into the snow.

Summary

Confidence

Weather Forecast

A cooling trend will start tonight. Expected afternoon highs will be around -9 in the alpine. The winds will also drop and settle to 30-40km/hr from the west. No snow is expected for the next few days.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new was noted today, however the light was poor.

Snowpack Summary

The warm weather has had a significant impact on the snowpack. Long term this will help, but for the time being the snowpack quality is marginal. Below treeline almost the entire snowpack is moist snow. The basal layers are still the dry facets that we've seen all year. Near treeline the snow has settled into a moist, dense layer that sits on the weak Feb 18th facets or hardslab from past wind events. Some whumphing and cracking was noted today, but the wet slab had more of a collapsing feel to it. The warm air hasn't reached the upper elevations yet. In upper treeline areas and alpine areas the surface snow has remained cool. Some wind transport was noted today, but not enough to create wind slabs.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

The alpine has only been lightly effected by the warm weather. Surface layers have bonded and "healed". The deeper layers were insulated from the warmth and remain the same as they were before. Inspect this interface for signs of weakness.

Carefully evaluate terrain features by digging and testing on adjacent, safe slopes. Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

Many avalanches have stepped to this layer. As the surface layers bond, this layer will require larger triggers to initiate. Thin areas and transitional terrain remain a concern.

Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.Avoid steep convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 4

Valid until: Feb 17th, 2017 2:00PM