Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 16th, 2013 8:09AM

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

jeremy.mackenzie, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

The winds continue to rage in the alpine. Right now the winds are the major concern. Be aware of the wind direction and how it may have impacted the slopes you have chosen to travel through. Ice Climbers, watch for hardslabs. MM

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Extreme winds (100km/hr +) are forecasted for the next 36hrs in the alpine. Treeline winds will be considerably less, but still in the range for slab development. The winds will be out of the west. The temps will still be warmer than usual, especially in the Bow Valley and front range. No significant precip is forecasted until after the week-end.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches noted

Snowpack Summary

Windslabs continue to develop in the ALP & TL with the high winds. Visible signs of widespread crossloading at all elevations. Front ranges are seeing rapid sublimation with wind.

Problems

Wind Slabs

30-40cm thick windslabs are being encountered on north to southeast aspects at treeline and above. The stiffness of these slabs will have increased with the extreme winds at higher elevations. Expect larger propagation if hard slabs are triggered.

Avoid cross loaded slopes at or above treeline.>Avoid unsupported slopes.>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

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Jan 17th, 2013 2:00PM