Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 26th, 2014 3:00PM

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

Alberta Parks jeremy.mackenzie, Alberta Parks

The basal weak layers are giving low confidence in the snowpack. Although hard to trigger, any avalanche that is initiated could be large and destructive. Cooler temps should reduce the solar triggered avalanche activity, but keep an eye on this.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Sunny conditions expected Monday with temperatures near -9 degrees. Winds will be light to moderate from the North. No snow is expected.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new.

Snowpack Summary

Surface hoar up to 15mm in sheltered areas below 2000m. Sun crust on solar aspects at all elevations. Variable wind slab at all elevations and all aspects except SW and W. Basal facets/depth hoar persist.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Wind slabs are widespread on lee and cross-loaded features at Treeline and above. Concern for human triggering remains in shallow snowpack areas and convex/unsupported terrain.
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

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing 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

Valid until: Jan 27th, 2014 2:00PM