Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 28th, 2014 3:00PM

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

jeremy.mackenzie, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Our message of caution remains the same: Deeply buried weak layers may be hard to trigger, but if they are triggered large avalanches could result. This is not the time to ski/ride big features.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Wednesday will be mostly cloudy with temperatures near -5 degrees. Winds will be light at ridge-top. Unfortunately , the previously forecasted snowfall is now completely gone from the weather forecast. Only light flurries are possible on Wednesday and a trace of snow is expected Thursday.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new.

Snowpack Summary

Sun crust on South and West aspects at all elevations. Surface hoar continues to grow in sheltered areas below treeline. Wind slabs are widespread at treeline and above. Basal weak layers persist, with snowpack stability tests (Compression Tests) indicating failures in the basal facets.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Avalanches could step down to the basal October layers and involve the entire winters snowpack. Wide propagations are possible. Shallow snowpack areas are a potential trigger point.

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

Expected Size

3 - 6

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs are widespread on lee and cross-loaded features at Treeline and above. Use caution is steep, convex and unsupported terrain, and be wary of shallow snowpack areas.

Be aware of the potential for wide propagations due to the presence of hard windslabs.>Avoid unsupported slopes.>Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Valid until: Jan 29th, 2014 2:00PM