Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 4th, 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.

A consistent weather pattern is keeping the danger levels steady. Despite this, take some time before stepping out into larger or more committing features.

Summary

Confidence

High

Weather Forecast

Tonight: Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries. Low -11. West winds 40k/hr & gusting to 65.Tomorrow: Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries. High -6. West winds 60km/hr.

Avalanche Summary

A couple of sz1 windslabs were noted today. They were below cliffs and are thought to be in areas where spindrift and wind have built thicker, denser windslabs.

Snowpack Summary

Below 1900m, the temperature crust from last week is now buried by 8cm of snow. This crust is unlikely to pose any problems down the road. The snowpack has regained some of it strength down low and is now more supportive in many areas. At treeline, the windslabs start to become evident in open areas or areas exposed to wind. Windslabs are down 20cm and only an issue in isolated areas. The Jan 6th layer is down 50-70cm at upper treeline and is hanging in there in terms of strength with the other layers. The alpine is either weak and facetted or a series of laminated windslabs. The exposure to wind seems to be the deciding factor.

Problems

Wind Slabs

These are manageable by choosing supported terrain and avoiding steep and/or convex rolls. They are improving, but their spotty nature has us thinking about them still.

Avoid steep lee and cross-loaded features>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

These are also improving, but their depth is still in the triggering range. In shallow areas, this problem is more likely to be a serious issue.

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 5th, 2016 2:00PM