Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 21st, 2014 7:55AM

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.

mike.koppang, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

The avalanche hazard is flat lined at the current levels. No significant change expected for awhile. As this lull goes on, stay on your toes with regard to terrain choice and snowpack assessment. MM

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

The forecast suggests tomorrow will be very similar to today: highs of +3 at valley bottom, light valley winds with flurries in the morning.

Avalanche Summary

No reports of new avalanches

Snowpack Summary

Not a lot of change in the last 24hrs. The sun crust is becoming more pronounced on steep solar aspects with clear skies. The weather pattern has had no significant effect on the snowpack. At all elevations windslabs overly the facetted mid to basal snow pack.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Windslabs are present at treeline and alpine elevations. The thickness of these slabs vary depending on where you look in the terrain. The reactivity of these slabs is still a concern.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

2 - 5

Persistent Slabs

Still the main concern out there right now. The surface windslabs are still prone to human triggering in the right piece of terrain. The potential for large avalanches is still out there on this layer.

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 22nd, 2014 2:00PM