Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 22nd, 2016 3:00PM

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

mike.koppang, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Warm Temps, high freezing levels and strong winds have dramatically changed our snowpack. The re-set of the snowpack we were hopeful for we didnt quite get.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Freezing levels are uncertain on Saturday

Weather Forecast

Temperatures are forecast to cool on Saturday by mid-day and the winds are going to be dying down. The weak pineapple express is coming to an end....Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries.Precipitation: Trace.Alpine temperature: High -5 C.Ridge wind west: 10 km/h.Freezing level: 1600 metres.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed on Friday but visibility was limited.

Snowpack Summary

Freezing levels were around 2200m on Friday and in some areas we even saw some light rain. A tiny bit of new snow fell throughout the day but long story short no where near the 15cm that as forecast (cue the sound of a sad trumpet). We did get lots of wind thoguh and as a result, most alpine terrain is wind affected. Windward slopes are scoured and lee features have a combination of windslabs and persistent slabs. These slabs are 20-40cm thick and failing on the Jan 6th facet interface which includes mainly facets and surface hoar. Any avalanche that initiates in the Alpine seems to be gouging out the facets on the lower slopes and running far.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Persistent slabs up to 30cm thick are are widespread in Alpine lee features and in more specific areas at treeline. .

Avoid unsupported slopes.>Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.>Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Wind Slabs

In areas where this new snow is overlying the previous hard surface slides may be more easily triggerred.

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

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Jan 23rd, 2016 2:00PM