Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 11th, 2015 3:00PM

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

mike.koppang, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Watch for thin areas where you may be able to trigger the basal weakness.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

No new snow over the next 24hrs and winds will remain generally light out of the NW.Â Temperatures will once again be seasonal.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity.

Snowpack Summary

Very little change over the past 24hrs.Â Widespread wind affect in alpine terrain. At treeline, pockets of windslabs and persistent slabs overlying the Dec13th crust down 30-50cm. Moderate sheers persist at this interface on a layer of facets above the crust. Crust seems to disappear above 2300m. 1106CR down 120-140cm and is continuing to break down.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Watch for unsupported features and wind affected areas at treeline.

Avoid cross loaded slopes at or above treeline.>Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.>Avoid unsupported slopes.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 4

Wind Slabs

Most alpine areas are wind affected from the recent moderate NW winds.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.>Watch for areas of hard wind slab in steep alpine features.>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.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Deep Persistent Slabs

Thin weak areas are a place where you may trigger this weakness.

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

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 5

Valid until: Jan 12th, 2015 2:00PM