Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 3rd, 2016 3:00PM

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

matt.mueller, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

The drought continues. The sun has punched south facing terrain and the winds have damaged the snow quality in the alpine in unsheltered terrain. Keep an eye out for cornices way above you and the odd windslab. A slight refresh is forthcoming.

Summary

Confidence

High - Due to the number and quality of field observations

Weather Forecast

Light southwest winds, overcast skies with very light flurries for Monday.Â Freezing levels will remain in the valley bottom.Â Tuesday will see a few centimeters of snow with continued southwest flow with gusts of wind and relatively warmer temperatures.Â Freezing levels on Tuesday at 1800 meters.

Avalanche Summary

Over the weekend there were avalanches observed up to size 2.0 loose wet and loose dry in the Rockies.Â The cooler temperatures have returned and avalanche activity has slowed since.

Snowpack Summary

Below 2000 meters the snowpack continues to facet out noticeably and surface hoar exists on top of the facets.Â The snowpack continues to lose strength especially in shallow areas.Â Above 2400 meters there is more extensive wind effect which has deteriorated the ski quality in the alpine with thin hard slab. The warm air layer over the weekend combined with the direct solar impact has yielded a sun crust on solar aspects reportedly between 2700 meters down to lower treeline.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Do not travel on slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 4th, 2016 2:00PM