Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 5th, 2018 3:21PM

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

matt.mueller, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

We aren't expecting snow, but we are expecting the winds to pick up at all elevations. Expect windslabs to be forming in the alpine and exposed treeline areas.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Cloudy with clear periods and isolated flurries tomorrow. Ridge winds westerly at 40km/hr. Temps should be a bit cooler with the freezing level well below valley floor.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new

Snowpack Summary

The warm temps continued overnight which helped to settle the surface snow. As a whole, the low elevation snowpack is still weak. Especially around trees or exposed rocks. Treeline conditions have changed very little in the last 24 hours. The upper snowpack is weak, but the mid to lower pack is stronger and able to carry the weight of a skier. The Dec 15 & Nov 27th layers are apparent, but not reacting to moderate loads at this time. The warmer temperatures and clear skies have created suncrusts and moist snow on all solar aspects. The alpine winds picked up overnight as well and began to create windslabs in exposed areas above treeline.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Expect these to build with the increasing winds. With the snow being relatively warm, the slabs will build quickly. Remember that the slabs will be sitting on a weak layer of facets left over from last week's cold.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.Avoid freshly wind loaded features.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 6th, 2018 2:00PM