Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 7th, 2015 7:24AM

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

matt.mueller, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Strong winds stripped us of the alpine snow on westerly aspects. Treat the treeline/alpine transitional terrain with respect right now.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

No snow is expected. The temps will fall throughout the day. The upper winds will continue to haul out of the NW for the morning and then fade away in the early afternoon. Ridgetop winds will be light.

Avalanche Summary

2 natural slabs were seen today in the alpine (Tent Ridge & Mt Nestor). Both were size 2, NE asp, 2500m. Pin wheeling was noted on steep solar aspects at lower elevations. To top it off, a few isolated loose dry avalanches were noted early in the day on steep slopes.

Snowpack Summary

Below tree line there is 20-25 cm's of new snow on top of the Dec13th crust. The snow above the crust has faceted and will likely be a potential sliding layer as the load grows. At treeline the crust is now down 30cm's with a similar pattern of faceting above and below. So far the crust is not breaking down significantly at treeline elevation. The midpack is breaking down quickly. The winds today were significant enough to create reactive soft slabs at treeline and more dense slabs in the alpine. Snow depth at 1900m was 90cm's.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Between the snow settling and the moderate winds the soft slabs at treeline have become a concern. Similarly, the alpine stability has gotten worse. Not a good time to jump into the bigger terrain blindly. Use small terrain to your advantage.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

Steep terrain on all aspects will be a concern. Today's heat has settled the surface snow on all aspects making the snow slightly stiffer. The bond with the crust is worth some inspection and evaluation.

Choose well supported terrain without convexities.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

The load is increasing on this layer. How it reacts is not predictable just yet. Keep it in mind as you travel in open areas.

Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Valid until: Jan 8th, 2015 2:00PM