Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Feb 18 – 19, 2017Alberta Parks
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

The snowpack is beginning to strengthen with the cooler temperatures but at treeline and above the weak facetted base is making us very conservative. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2
    New wind slabs 20-30cm thick are building in alpine areas.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3
    Alpine and treeline areas have a sun crust on steep solar aspects up to 2400m. The deeper layers were insulated from the warmth and remain the same as they were before. Inspect this interface for signs of weakness.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–4
    Past avalanches have stepped to this layer. Thin areas and transitional terrain remain a concern.

Confidence

Moderate - Freezing levels are uncertain on Sunday

Weather Forecast

Temperatures on Sunday will average around -8C in Alpine terrain.  Winds will be light to moderate out of the SW and only a trace amount of new snow is expected.  Freezing levels are forecast to be around 1600m

Avalanche Summary

No new natural avalanche activity was observed over the past 24hrs.

Snowpack Summary

5-15cm of recent snow is now overlying a widespread temperature crust at lower elevations (up to 2000m) and up to 2400m on more solar aspects. As you climb into the alpine this new snow has been blown into thin (20-30cm) thick storm slabs. Field tests on Friday and Saturday were showing these new wind slabs to be unreactive to ski cutting but we werent willing to expose ourselves to larger slopes due to the weak faceteted basal layers down 100-120cm. Warm temps are helping to settle out the snowpack and strengthen it but this process takes time. We still have very little confidence in the stability of any large terrain feature and are continuing to limit our exposure to overhead terrain. Good skiing was being found in sheltered areas at TL and below.

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