Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 8th, 2018 3:00PM

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

jeremy.mackenzie, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Keep an eye on localized conditions. If more snow falls than is expected, some areas could see a rise in avalanche danger to Considerable.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Tuesday will be cloudy with scattered flurries. Snowfall accumulations could reach 10cm by the end of day Tuesday with a further 5cm on Wednesday. Temperatures tomorrow will start out cold and then climb toÂ -6 Â°C with moderate SW winds.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed.

Snowpack Summary

Moderate to strong SW winds combined with warm temperatures have added to the already widespread wind slab conditions in the Alpine and at Treeline. These slabs exist on all aspects, except in some specific windward terrain where the wind has stripped the snow down to bare rock. The Dec 15th interface (surface hoar on north aspects, sun crust on solar aspects) continue to produce results in snowpack stability tests. The November and October crusts deeper in the snowpack continue to facet and forecasters are watching these layers as a potential future problem.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs are dominant in Alpine and Treeline terrain. Very little natural avalanche activity has been occurring, but human-triggering is more likely.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.Avoid steep lee and cross-loaded slopes

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 9th, 2018 2:00PM