Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 31st, 2016–Jan 1st, 2017

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Kananaskis.

A complex layering of wind slabs in the upper snowpack requires careful evaluation. Conservative terrain selection is advised as human triggering is likely.

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

Sunday will bring cloudy skies and a return to cool temperatures. Alpine temperature will only reach a high of -23 C. Light flurries are expected with moderate NE winds. Monday and Tuesday are expected to remain cool with little to no precipitation.Â

Avalanche Summary

A few slab avalanches up to size 2.0 have been observed in the past 24 to 48hrs on East aspects between 2200 and 2400m.

Snowpack Summary

Recent strong winds have formed wind slabs in the Alpine and in open areas at Treeline and below. These slabs are highly variable in thickness, density and distribution. Snowpack tests indicate a layer of concern down 35cm. This interface was giving moderate compression tests today on a North aspect at 2400m. In addition, the November crust layer is now producing moderate to hard shears down 50 to 90cm in the snowpack. At lower elevations the snowpack is very weak with occasional ski penetration to ground.

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

A weak layer down 35 to 40cm in the snowpack seems prime for human triggering in steep and unsupported terrain.

Avoid steep convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.Avoid freshly wind loaded features.If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 2 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

The November crust buried 50 to 90cm in the snowpack has become reactive to snowpack stability tests. Triggering is more likely in shallow snowpack areas and rocky features.

Be aware of the potential for wide propagations.Use conservative route selection, choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 2 - 3

Wind Slabs

Fresh wind slabs up to 15cm thick are found in the Alpine and in all open terrain at Treeline and below. In some areas these slabs sit on a weak layer of facets.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2