Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 11th, 2016 7:16AM

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

matt.mueller, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

We have received a dusting of new snow and can expect more tomorrow. Avalanche problems will depend partly on temperatures. Watch freezing levels and aspects and expect a change in hazard if it warms up.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Weather Forecast

Tonight: Mainly cloudy with flurries. Alpine low of -7. SW winds at 15kmherTomorrow: Cloudy with scattered flurries. Up to 4cm expected. Alpine high of -2. SW winds 40km/hr gusting to 70km/hr/ Freezing level will rise to 2000m

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed today, however observations were limited

Snowpack Summary

Another day of warm temps has settled the snowpack even more. Some areas saw up to 5cm of new snow last night. A melt/freeze crust is on all lower aspects and extends to treeline on solar aspects. Because of settlement the Jan 6 facet layer is down 40-70cm at treeline and starting to bond to the upper layers. Having said that, polar aspects are still suspect due to the locally cooler temps. Snow depths are 134cm at Burstall Pass & 98cm at Mud Lake

Problems

Persistent Slabs

These should be high on the radar these days. Natural activity has slowed but not stopped.

Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.>Avoid areas with overhead hazard.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Wind Slabs

These will be more of a problem on high, polar aspects.

Caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Feb 12th, 2016 2:00PM