Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 10th, 2019 3:00PM

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

michael.olsthoorn, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Wind slabs have formed from the recent strong winds. Be alert to changing snow conditions under your skis or boards.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

The winds are expected to be 30km/hr from the SW on Friday with mostly a cloudy sky and a temperature of -6c. For Saturday, winds will be light with a mix of sun and cloud and warming up to -1c in the alpine. No snow in the horizon for the weekend.

Avalanche Summary

One natural size 1 was observed in the Commonwealth area. Another size 1 below treeline (gully side wall feature) skier controlled that failed on the basal facets.

Snowpack Summary

Wind and basal facets are the themes this year so far... Another windy day today has added to the wind slabs in the alpine and open areas at tree line. Northerly and Easterly aspects and lee feature are most likely to have more snow and soft slabs because of the winds. Some whumphing was felt in the trees in the Commonwealth area today. This is a reminder that the bottom half of the snowpack is weak and consists mostly of facets. Good skiing can be found on moderate angles and the forecasters are staying off of the steeper lines and away from large slopes. Any avalanche that occurs has the potential to step down to the basal facets creating an even larger avalanche.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Be aware of cracking around your skis as you approach tree line. This is a good indicator of wind slabs.

Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.Avoid freshly wind loaded features.If triggered the storm/wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

Any avalanche has the potential to trigger the basal facets, resulting in large avalanches.

Carefully evaluate and use caution around thin snowpack areas.Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent slopes.Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to weak layers at the base of the snowpack.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Jan 11th, 2019 2:00PM