Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 3rd, 2019 3:00PM

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

michael.olsthoorn, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Good skiing can be found at all elevations. New snow still needs time to settle and bond.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Cold!!!!! Overnight low for Sunday night is forecast for -33c with a high of -21c for Monday. Skies for Monday are forecast to be a mix of sun and cloud with light winds from the South. No snow in the horizon.

Avalanche Summary

Limited observations. Several loose dry up to size 2 were observed in the alpine on East aspects.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 45cm of snow fell over the week end and is bonding well with the interface; give it a little more time for it to bond even better. We had limited observations today but suspect some wind slab in the alpine from Saturday's winds and yet there were also some loose dry avalanches observed on easterly alpine bowls. The buried sun crust on solar aspects down around 60cm is still a concern with this new load as well as the isolated January 17 SH also down around 60cm around tree line. The basal facets are down 80-100cm down and should still be on everyone's radar as any avalanche triggered in the upper snow pack has the potential to trigger this lower weakness.

Problems

Wind Slabs

The new snow still needs a bit of time to settle with the interface.

Caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.New snow will require several days to settle and stabilize.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

Be aware that this new snow load has stressed the deeper layers. Thin areas, large triggers (cornices) could easily get this layer sliding.

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

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Valid until: Feb 4th, 2019 2:00PM