Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 25th, 2016–Jan 26th, 2016

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

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

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.

Slow accumulation of snow combined with winds continue to slowly build wind slabs in alpine lee features. A skier's weight could be all that it takes to trigger an avalanche.

Confidence

High - Due to the number of field observations on Tuesday

Weather Forecast

On tuesday the ridgetop highs will be -4, mainly cloudy with only a trace of new snow. The winds will be westerly at 50 km/h increasing to extreme in afternoon and evening topping out at over 100km/hr. Wednesday will be similar, with diminishing but continued high to extreme westerly winds.

Avalanche Summary

A few small loose dry avalanches were noted out of steep unskiable terrain near ridgetop on Easterly aspects.

Snowpack Summary

A 20-40cm wind slab is prominent on lee and cross loaded slopes at alpine and treeline elevations consisting of several laminated layers within the top 30cm, easy sudden planer snowpack test results were found on these interfaces. The January 6th layer was found down 50 cm but was not reactive at this site to testing. At treeline and below treeline up to 2050m a buried temperature crusts exists on all aspects. Below Treeline the snowpack is showing signs of continued faceting and weakening which is obvious when you step off of of the up track.

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

Persistent slabs averaging 40cm thick are widespread in the alpine on lee and cross-loaded features and in more specific areas at treeline. This layer is still a concern though faceting has made it less reactive.

Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.>Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.>Avoid steep lee and cross-loaded features>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 4

Wind Slabs

20-40 cm thick wind slabs on lee and cross-loaded features in alpine and down to treeline areas are resulting in easy sudden planer snowpack tests on a number of layers within the top 30cm.

Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.>Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 4