Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 16th, 2016 7:02AM

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

mike.koppang, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

The biggest issue is the facetted structure of the upper snowpack. The propensity for skier or cornice triggered loose dry avalanches persists in steep confined gulleys on ice routes as well as large, steep & uniform ski slopes.

Summary

Confidence

High

Weather Forecast

Mainly cloudy with sunny breaks with a snowball's chance in hell of new snow. Winds will be westerly moderate to strong in the alpine. Freezing levels will be at valley bottom for Sunday.

Avalanche Summary

Some loose snow avalanches reported and observed up to 1.5 with skier traffic or from explosive control work.

Snowpack Summary

Little to no change in the snowpack other than a paltry 5 centimeters of new snow on the 14th of January. The snowpack areas that have 70-80 centimeters or more supports well enough and below threshold depth, the snowpack has little to offer in the way of structure or support. The entire upper third of the snowpack is facetted in the alpine and treeline and below it is rotten right to the ground.

Problems

Loose Dry

Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.>Be very cautious with gully features.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Wind Slabs

Choose well supported terrain without convexities.>Avoid steep slopes below cornices.>

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 17th, 2016 2:00PM