Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 13th, 2018 3:12PM

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

matt.mueller, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

The winds were raging today! The alpine has taken the brunt of it, but even the low elevation areas had some slabs develop. Good skiing is out there, but it will take some searching.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

The winds will taper overnight tonight. Tomorrow they are "only" 45km/hr from the west. Temperatures will remain consistent with today's, and hover around -13°. Flurries will bring up to 6cm throughout the day tomorrow.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new today.

Snowpack Summary

Strong to extreme winds have stripped most of the available snow and formed stiff wind slabs on all lee aspects. The winds have come from west to north aspects which has made a reverse loading pattern. Luckily these areas are easily identified once seen. So far the alpine has been the most wind effected, but treeline also has widespread slabs. Even valley bottom areas have felt the winds. Many avalanche crowns from last week have filled in.

Problems

Wind Slabs

These reach almost to valley bottom and are dense enough to propagate if triggered. They make for challenging skiing right now.

Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.If triggered the storm/wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.Avoid freshly wind loaded features.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

Many old avalanches have filled in already. There is a risk that these slopes could avalanche again as they load up. The wind slabs stepping down and triggering this layer is also a concern.

Minimize exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach run out zones.Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.Be wary of slopes that did not previously avalanche.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3.5

Valid until: Feb 14th, 2018 2:00PM