Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 8th, 2019 3:00PM

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

Alberta Parks mike.koppang, Alberta Parks

Temps are going polar again on the weekend.  Small emergencies become very serious in these temps .  Try to stay in the sun!

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

A few cm of snow fell on friday and we may see a few more but not a significant amount.  The cold temps are returning on Saturday....

Avalanche Summary

A few new loose dry avalanches but overall no new slab activity was observed.

Snowpack Summary

Isolated windslabs can be found in alpine terrain along ridgelines and in cross loaded feature but the overall lack of wind has been suprising!  These slabs are on all aspects also due to the recent northerly flow.  The upper snowpack continues to facet and in thinner areas, the entire snowpack is facetting.  Generally the midpack is supportive and bridging the weaker basal facets but dont forget this weak base.  Depth hoar and large facets dominate the base of the snowpack and large triggers such as a cornice, or avalanche in the upper snowpack could wake up this weakness.  Thin areas are also likely places where one could trigger the basal facets so be thinking about thick to thin terrain....

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
The alpine has windslabs along ridgelines and in crossloaded features.
Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs
Thin areas should are where you could wake up the basal layers....
Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to weak layers at the base of the snowpack.Carefully evaluate and use caution around thin snowpack areas.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Valid until: Feb 9th, 2019 2:00PM