Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 12th, 2013 8:12AM

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

jeremy.mackenzie, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

The natural activity has slowed, but skier triggering is a REAL possibility in most skiable terrain. Gone are the days of ambitious lines. Conservative skiing is the name of the game right now. Inversions are forecasted for Mon/Tues. MM

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather is uncertain on Monday

Weather Forecast

High pressure over the area until Sunday night, precip will be limited. Temps will start to climb tomorrow afternoon in the alpine, yet fall in the valley bottoms. As the next system moves in, we can expect to see another wave of temperature inversions. Winds will be from the North with moderate to strong speeds (300m).

Avalanche Summary

Na,Â size 2, slab, south face Rimwall (west wind pass area) , 2400m

Snowpack Summary

HST settling to 45cm @ 2100m, Below 2100m, surface hoar and facets make up the midpack, above 2100m, a thinner layer of facets are on top of a settled midpack. Nov crust down 120. HS 124Â See result of compression test here

Problems

Storm Slabs

Slabs up to 50cm thick are being encountered in all open terrain at treeline and above. Many slides failed on a surface hoar or facet interface down on average 50cm. Natural activity has subsided, but human triggering is a REAL possibility.�

Avoid areas with overhead hazard.>Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.>Avoid open slopes with any steepness over 30 degrees.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

3 - 5

Valid until: Jan 13th, 2013 2:00PM