Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 29th, 2015 3:00PM

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

mike.koppang, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

When the sun is out it packs a punch so watch for decreases in stability on steep solar aspects. New surface hoar is growing overlying a crust along the divide. Another soon to be new problem.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Freezing levels and temperatures are both forecast to drop over the next few days. There isnt much of new snow in the

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity was observed today but there is evidence of a widespread cycle over this past week on all aspects at treeline and into the Alpine. Heat was the suspected trigger in many cases.

Snowpack Summary

Wide wide wide widespread wind affect in Alpine terrain and into treeline areas. A thin temperature crust can be found on the surface throughout the region on all aspects up to 2400m and on solar aspects up to 2900m. At a profile on Thursday near Three Isle lake we found the 0116SH down 25cm and coming out CTM(11)(SP) and a more moderate RP result on the 1213CR down 50cm. Windward slopes are as stripped as I've ever seen them personally and below treeline, the snowpack is a mixture of crusts and breakable facets. Overall, not a pretty picture but thats just honest.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Stiff windslabs overlying a weak facetted base.

Avoid steep lee and cross-loaded features>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

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

Facets overlying the 1213cr are continuing torproduce moderate sheers.

Avoid steep lee and cross-loaded features>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

The Nov cr was still observed in snowpack tests along the divide on the 29th.

Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 5

Valid until: Jan 30th, 2015 2:00PM