Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 3rd, 2015–Jan 4th, 2015

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Kananaskis.

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

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.

Avalanche 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