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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 29th, 2013–Jan 30th, 2013
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
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
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.

The arctic air will clear out and temps will rise but winds will rise as well so we can look forward to new soft slabs forming along ridge tops - there is still some loose dry snow available for wind transport.

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

The arctic ridge is weakening and warmer air will begin to push in from the west.  A few cm on new snow each day until Friday but no appreciable accumulations.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity observed on Tuesday.

Snowpack Summary

Snow survey flight today with 4 profiles completed....heavily faceted snowpack in areas below treeline with Nov crust still evident in some locations.  A mix of hard windslab from last weeks winds and thin softslabs from the storm snow later in the week.  The Jan 6 interface still showing up in compression tests in the hard range down 30-40+cm.  Old surface hoar found on this interface at a sheltered location at 2200m near the divide.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

30-40cm thick hard windslabs are being encountered on north to southeast aspects at treeline and above. Expect wide propagations due to the hard nature of these slabs.
Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.>Be aware of the potential for wide propagations due to the presence of hard windslabs.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 4

Storm Slabs

Variable thickness soft slabs .

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3