Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 20th, 2014 3:00PM

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

burke.duncan, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Wind slabs in open terrain above treeline are still the primary concern. Daytime heating issues are less of a concern now with cooler temps across the forecast area.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Cooler temps re minimizing the daytime heating issues.Â Only trace amounts of new snow expected over the next few days and daytime highs in the Alpine elevation zone are forecast to remain below the freezing mark with mainly clear skiy conditions.

Avalanche Summary

No new observed or reported.

Snowpack Summary

Little change over the past 24 hours - a little more wind but generally light.Â melt-freeze crust on on solar aspects up to 2400m.Â Main concerns remain unchanged - weak basal facets with 4F-!F hardness above which is susceptible to human triggering in areas where the snow cover is thin.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Variable thickness windslabs dominate the snowpack at and above treeline. These slabs remain sensitive to human triggering although natural avalanche activity has declined.

Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.>Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

2 - 5

Persistent Slabs

Large whumpfs with associated cracking through the snowpack continue to be observed in areas at and below treeline.

Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.>Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.>Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.>Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.>Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.>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 21st, 2014 2:00PM