Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 4th, 2019–Feb 5th, 2019

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Kananaskis.

Good skiing can be found at tree line and below. Careful evaluation of wind slabs is essential before adventuring in the alpine.

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

The cold continues with a slight daytime warming. Tuesday and Wednesday are forecast for daytime highs of -15c with overnight lows of -27c. Skies should be a mix of sun and cloud with light wind from the North on both days. No snow forecast for the near future.

Avalanche Summary

One size 2 slab on an East aspect on an alpine feature on Mt. Murray.One size 2.5 slab on a NE aspect starting in the alpine in the Black Prince zone.One size 2 slab on a NE aspect starting in the alpine was observed in the Gypsum Creek zone.

Snowpack Summary

35-45cm of storm snow overlies a strong mid snowpack. This storm snow is low density at tree line and below. In the alpine, this storm snow has either turned into a wind slab or is loose and dry; it will be important to determine this before adventuring into the alpine. 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 2200m. The basal facets are down 80-100cm 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.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

New snow will require several days to settle and stabilize.If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

Thin areas should be avoided.

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: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3