Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 24th, 2014 3:00PM

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

mike.koppang, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Watch for decreases in stability related to solar radiation as temps warm up. These decreases will be most apparent on steep solar aspects.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain on Saturday

Weather Forecast

Warm temperatures and clear skies will persist through the weekend.Â We are in a bit of a holding pattern for new snow at this time...

Avalanche Summary

No new natural avalache activity was observed.

Snowpack Summary

Not much changing out there these days...Â The warm temps are helping to settle the snowpack out but the main concern is still for the weak basal facets.Â They are becomming harder to trigger but if they do go, it will result in a large avalanche.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Stiff windslabs should be expected in treeline and alpine areas. Be cautious in thin, steep or unsupported terrain.

Be aware of the potential for wide propagations due to the presence of hard windslabs.>Avoid unsupported slopes.>Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 5

Persistent Slabs

The basal problem of facets and depth hoar will likely persist all winter. This layer is getting harder to trigger, but will result in a large destructive avalanche if it initiates.

Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

3 - 6

Valid until: Jan 25th, 2014 2:00PM