Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 13th, 2013 3:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Storm Slabs.

mike.koppang, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Increasing NW winds on Monday may initiate another small avalanche cycle. If the forecasted winds arrive the avalanche danger may even push into high on Monday! Another inversion is also forecast so watch for det'r stability at higher elevations.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Winds and temps are both set to increase over the next 24hrs. Winds are expected to reach into the 100kph range at higher elevations which may kick off another small cycle of natural avalanche activity at higher elevations where there is lots of snow available for transport. Forecasts are also calling for an inversion on Monday so all users should avoid exposure to steep solar aspects that may have deteriorating stability early in the day.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche observations over the past 24hrs.

Snowpack Summary

Little change over the past 24hrs. Upper snowpack continues to tighten up due to the cold temps and facetting continues in shallow snowpack areas. Some pockets of surface facetting in Alpine terrain on N aspects.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Slabs 30-40cm thick are being encountered on north easterly aspects at treeline and above. Many slabs that failed in the latest cycle failed on a surface hoar or facet layer down 30-50cm. Avoid unsupported and convex terrain features.

Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.>Avoid open slopes and convex rolls at and below treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved.>Avoid unsupported slopes.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Jan 14th, 2013 2:00PM