Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 3rd, 2015 3:00PM

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.

jeremy.mackenzie, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Thin wind slabs are building in the Alpine, but these are not yet enough to tip the scales to a higher danger rating.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Sunday will remain cool with moderate NW winds and significant wind chill. Trace amounts of precipitation are expected. Monday and Tuesday will see slight warming and very light flurries.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new but visibility was extremely limited today.

Snowpack Summary

5 to 10cm of new snow overnight is forming thin wind slabs in Alpine areas. The December rain crust is present below 2250m on all aspects and is still reactive in stability tests. The basal facets are alive and well, and will remain an issue for some time to come.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

The December rain crust is still possible to trigger down 30 to 50cm at 2200m. Recent stability tests indicate failures at this interface in the moderate range.

Avoid cross loaded slopes at or above treeline.>Be very cautious with gully features.>

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Wind Slabs

Strong winds and recent snowfalls have created thin wind slabs in Alpine terrain. These will continue to build through Sunday.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

The widespread basal weakness is still a concern in the snowpack. Avalanche observations last week indicate that full depth slides are still a possibility.

Avoid 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 4th, 2015 2:00PM