Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 29th, 2017 3:00PM

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

jeremy.mackenzie, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Ski quality is generally poor, and widespread wind slabs overlie a weak snowpack. Large Alpine slopes should be avoided.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

A ridge of high pressure is pushing into the region over the next couple of days bringing sunnier conditions and cooler temps. Wednesday will still see strong westerly winds and temperatures near -13 °C, before the winds swap to the the north on Thursday with temperatures closer to -20 °C. There is no precipitation expected this week.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new observed or reported today.

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack is settling with the warm temperatures. Wind slabs are widespread in lee and cross-loaded features in the Alpine and in open areas at Treeline due to recent extreme westerly winds. These slabs sit on a weak and faceted mid-pack and basal layers. The snowpack at lower elevations remains shallow, weak and facetted and only supports the weight of a skier on previously established paths.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

If this layers if triggered, there is a likelihood of entraining the entire snowpack with it causing a large avalanche.

Avoid unsupported slopes.Avoid cross loaded features.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

The big concern is that if anything gets triggered within the snowpack, then the avalanche will step down to the weak basal facets and involve the entire winter's snowpack.

Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Wind Slabs

Recent extreme westerly winds have created thin wind slabs to add to the existing wind slabs already out there. It is possible to trigger a smaller surface slab that could then step down to a deeper weak layer.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.Avoid steep lee and cross-loaded features

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 30th, 2017 2:00PM