Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 25th, 2014 3:00PM

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

jeremy.mackenzie, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

The snowpack is in a classic "low probability, high consequence" state. Though it is currently more difficult to trigger a slide, avalanches could be large and destructive due to the deeply buried weak layer.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Mix of sun and cloud with cooler temperatures on Sunday. Winds will become light to moderate from the North. No precipitation is expected in the next few days.

Avalanche Summary

Isolated solar triggered activity up to size 1.0.

Snowpack Summary

Surface growth up to 15mm in sheltered areas below treeline. Moist snow on solar aspects penetrating 10cm into snowpack. October facets/depth hoar layer still prominent at base of snowpack. Wind slabs exist at all elevations and on all aspects except W and SW in Alpine.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs are widespread on lee and cross-loaded features at Treeline and above. Human triggering is possible in convex/unsupported terrain as well as shallow snowpack areas.

Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>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

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Persistent Slabs

Avalanches could step down to the basal October layers and involve the entire winters snowpack. Wide propagations are possible. Shallow snowpack areas are a potential trigger point.

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

Expected Size

3 - 6

Valid until: Jan 26th, 2014 2:00PM