Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 13th, 2014 3:00PM

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.

burke.duncan, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

A strong westerly flow over the next 48 hours will bring above normal temperatures and the combination will further promote the formation of windslabs which are becoming more reactive to light loads such as a skier.

Summary

Confidence

Fair

Weather Forecast

Snowfall is expected to end by early Tuesday with a High pressure system pushing in from the west.Â A strong chinook flow will bring max temps well above normal for most of the forecast area with strong winds continuing over the next 48 hours - wind slab formation will continue.

Avalanche Summary

No new observed due to obscured sky conditions.

Snowpack Summary

Obscured sky conditions limited observations regarding wind transport along ridgetops. Perfect combo of new snow, wind and mild temps creating new windslabs with variable thickness depending upon location and amount of snow in fetch zones.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Widespread skier triggerable windslabs exist in the alpine and treeline elevation zones. These slabs may be sensitive to the weight of a skier so use caution when entering areas where you suspect this condition exists. Utilize safe travel techniques

Enter your line well below ridge crests to avoid wind loaded pillows.>Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.>Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 5

Persistent Slabs

This is a longstanding problem - be aware that any avalanche may step down into the deeper basal weaknesses and involve the entire winters snowpack as has already occurred in some areas.

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.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 6

Valid until: Jan 14th, 2014 2:00PM