Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 12th, 2014 3:00PM

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

mike.koppang, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Up to 35cm of new snow has fallen over the past 36hrs. New snow means new turns but remember, MANY accidents happen right after a new snowfall when people are excited to get out. Slowly work into terrain and dont let your keeness override judgement

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

The storm that just passed over us is beginning to peter out but we may squeeze another 5cm of so out of it. Winds on Thursday are expected to become more south westerly and gust into the moderate range. New snow is expected to trickle in all week and temperatures are expected to be pretty much average for this time of year...

Avalanche Summary

Conditions were obscured throughout the day on Wednesday and as a result, we were unable to get a good look into many start zones.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 35cm of recent storm snow has fallen at treeline elevations with variable winds that have been gusting into the moderate range. This new snow is falling on a variety of snow surfaces from crusts on solar aspects to facets and surface hoar on more polar aspects. Carefully evaluate this bond as we expect it to be very touchy in many areas.

Problems

Storm Slabs

New storm slabs are building at treeline and above. These slabs are only 30-50cm deep but we expect them to be reactive to light loads such as a skier.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>Avoid steep lee and cross-loaded features>Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow and wind.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

Its unlikely that this new snow will re-awaken the basal weak layers but keep it in your mind that it will be tougher for you to see the thin weak areas where it may be triggerred by you!

Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.>Carefully evaluate and use caution around thin snowpack areas.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

3 - 5

Valid until: Feb 13th, 2014 2:00PM