Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 17th, 2018 3:43PM

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

matt.mueller, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Wind and snow are in the forecast. The hazard levels assume we will get the forecasted weather.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Thursday

Weather Forecast

The good news: Up to 10cm expected tonight, with another 9cm throughout the day tomorrow. The bad news: Strong winds overnight. Average ridge winds will be 60km/hr with gusts even higher.The rest: Overnight low of -5. Daytime high tomorrow of -4

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new today.

Snowpack Summary

Alpine winds have now created firm windslabs on Northeast to South aspects. They tend to be more pronounced in the northern part of the region. At treeline, the windslabs are widespread and are reaching far below ridge crests. The warmer temperatures have also contributed to settlement within the snowpack. The depth of buried weak layers will likely have changed significantly with the redistribution of snow.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Strong winds and warm temps have combined to build widespread windslabs in the alpine & open treeline areas.

Avoid steep lee and cross-loaded slopesAvoid freshly wind loaded features.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

The new wind loading pattern will make this layer touchier than it has been.

Avoid open slopes and convex rolls at treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved.Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.Avoid unsupported slopes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Valid until: Jan 18th, 2018 2:00PM