Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 26th, 2016 3:00PM

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

matt.mueller, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Continued wind and natural activity tells us the snowpack hasn't stabilized just yet. Stick to conservative terrain for now.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Tonight: Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries. Trace precip. -7 as an alpine low and 2500m winds from the west, 55-60km/hrTomorrow: Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries. Alpine high of -4. West winds at 50km/hr.

Avalanche Summary

2 slab avalanches were noted today. They ranged in size from 1-1.5. Both of them were on an east aspect and alpine terrain. There was also 1 loose dry noted out of a steep snow slope. Possibly cornice triggered

Snowpack Summary

Extreme alpine winds from the west have kept the transport going. Most high areas have been stripped of snow on windward aspects, but some lower areas have seen some slab growth over the last 24hrs. At treeline, expect a supportive snowpack with wind slabs in any open terrain. Having said that, in shallow areas, the weak snow is still producing the occasional loose dry "facalanche" out of steep terrain. Very little change below treeline in terms of the snowpack. It is still weak and un supportive in many areas. Snow depth seems to be the key to supportive traveling. Metre plus areas have a better feeling snowpack.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Natural activity tells us these haven't healed up just yet. Watch for them as you approach open terrain or ridges.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>Avoid cross loaded slopes at or above treeline.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Persistent Slabs

This interface will be down 20-30cm at the alpine/treeline boundary. Local windloading may put it even deeper. Be sure to inspect this interface as you travel.

Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.>Avoid steep lee and cross-loaded features>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Valid until: Jan 27th, 2016 2:00PM