Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 5th, 2015 7:01AM

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

matt.mueller, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Very little wind and less than expected snow is keeping the hazard steady. The skiing is slowly improving out there. Sheltered areas at treeline are the most promising right now.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

A few flurries overnight with light winds from the SW. Above 3000m, the winds will be peak tonight at 50km/hr and drop throughout the day tomorrow. The temps will start to climb slightly. A mild inversion is expected tomorrow afternoon. There is a bit of snow expected for tomorrow...6cm!

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new today, but a previous(last 48hrs), isolated cycle is still visible. Steep alpine gullies were the common terrain feature.

Snowpack Summary

Below tree line has 50-70cm's of coverage still. Travel can be tedious off an existing trail. The Dec 13th crust is becoming more breakable due to the faceting of the supporting snow underneath. At treeline, the snowpack starts to grow(80-110cm's) and becomes a bit better. The crust is still very easy to find, but travel improves as the mid-pack becomes more dense. The Dec13th ice layer/crust is down 15-20cm's. The surface snow is still untouched by the winds. In the alpine, the crust is apparent up to 2200-2300m. The ice layer found at treeline is replaced with a melt freeze crust. Wherever the crust exists, the faceting below is becoming more and more obvious. Generally very little wind effect. Above 2400m, the winds have created windslabs that are presently limited to immediate lee features. The Nov6th crust is now completely decomposed. We have a typical rockies facet/depth hoar base at the moment.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

The lack of a windslab on top of this layer is keeping the avalanche activity limited. Watch for a change in density as you travel. This change may signal a potential windslab.

Caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.>

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Wind Slabs

Caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.>Be very cautious with gully features.>

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

Monitor snow depths and plan accordingly.

Caution around convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Valid until: Jan 6th, 2015 2:00PM