Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Jan 10 – 11, 2018Alberta Parks
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

We have a couple of interesting, and potentially dangerous layers in the snowpack. Read the snowpack  discussion section to get a better picture of what is happening. Choose terrain wisely, and investigate the snowpack frequently as you travel.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–3
    These are hidden under the new snow. Look for them as you transition to alpine terrain and/or as you approach ridge tops.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2
    These were running mid path today and were starting is steep, yet skiable terrain. Avoid gully features for the next while.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Clear periods overnight with a few flurries. An alpine low of -18 with westerly winds at 25km/hr. Tomorrow will see more flurries and temps around -10 in the alpine. Winds will be light from the southwest.

Avalanche Summary

Several loosed dry avalanches were noted today. Up to sz1.5 and coming out of 45 plus terrain.

Snowpack Summary

The last 2 days have brought nearly 30cm of new snow. Luckily this new snow has come in with no wind and there is very little wind effect at any elevation. Beneath this new snow lies an interesting snowpack. Up to 2200m, there are 2 surface hoar layers: the Jan 6th(down 30cm) & the Dec 15(down 70cm). We are just starting to see results on these layers as the new snow load slowly builds up. As of today, the Jan 6th layer is lacking a surface slab, which is preventing it from being a slab avalanche concern. BUT, if/when there is a slab above it, expect this layer to be a very serious avalanche problem. Meanwhile, the Dec 15th is starting to fail in stability tests (CTM12, SC down 70cm). The difficulty with both of these layers is knowing where they are NOT in the terrain. In some areas we've seen the surface hoar up to 2300m and in in others only up to 2200...and to make it worse yet, in some areas we have seen bands of surface hoar that show up at random intervals. In the alpine, there is an intermittent windslab that feels as though it could sneak up on us and be a real surprise.

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