Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 20th, 2013 3:00PM

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

mike.koppang, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Winds were calm again on Wednesday but that will soon change as the next system begins to approach the forecast region. Light snow and moderate westerly winds forecast for Thursday.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Light snow is forecast to fall throughout the day on Thursday as the next system begins to approach the forecast region. Winds will begin to increase into the moderate range out of the west so we may see some additional snow transport at higher elevations. Temperatures will still be cold at -15C.

Avalanche Summary

A few small loose dry avalanches up to sz 1 out of steep unskiable terrain on northern aspects.

Snowpack Summary

Another day with limited winds. A moderate sheer persists at the storm snow interface down 20-30cm throughout the region and a second sheer persists down 60cm beneath a previous windslab. There was some moist snow on solar aspects later in the day on Wednesday.

Problems

Loose Dry

A few loose dry avalanches up to size 1 from steep unskiable terrain on northern aspects

Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.>

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Wind Slabs

Pockets of soft slab are present in lee and cross-loaded features in the alpine. In many areas these new slabs sit on an old smooth layer of hard slab, and may be more likely to trigger where this condition exists.

Assess start zones carefully and use safe travel techniques.>Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.>

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Valid until: Feb 21st, 2013 2:00PM