Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 27th, 2013 3:00PM

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

Alberta Parks mike.koppang, Alberta Parks

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Kananaskis.

Not much in the way of deep powder turns right now but travel is rather easy!  This weak areas surrounding the lens of hard slabs are places to be wary of.  See video here for discussion.

Summary

Weather Forecast

A low pressure system off the Gulf of alaska will begin to work its way towards Alberta overnight on Sunday.  Snow is forecast to begin late in the day on monday and some models are predicting that there may be an upslope component to this storm so the front ranges may see some accumulations (HWY40).  Total accumulations are only forecast to be 5-10cm on Monday.  Winds will remain at light to moderate out of the NW but on Tuesday a trailing warm front will cause the winds to increase into the Strong range. 

Avalanche Summary

A recent size 3 cornice triggered avalanche was observed on a N aspect at 2700m on one of the back bowls on Mt Rundle. 

Snowpack Summary

LIttle change over the past 24hrs.  Light snowfalls continued throughout the day with minimal accumulation.  Winds were generally calm except at higher elevations.  Storm slabs continue to build at ridgelines and in immediate lees but these slabs are not that thick and they do not extend to far downslope. 

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs
Storm slabs are being encountered along ridgelines and in immediate lee terrain in Alpine areas.  They are also making it tough to see thin weak snowpack areas surrounding the previously buried wind slabs. 
Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.>

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
30-40cm thick hard slabs are being encountered in all open terrain at treeline and above.  We also encountered the slabs in open areas below treeline!  Stiff slab and weak facetted base equals wide propagations.  Remember that... 
Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.>Be aware of thin areas that may propagate to deeper instabilites.>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

2 - 4

Valid until: Jan 28th, 2013 2:00PM

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