Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 13th, 2018 3:11PM

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

matt.mueller, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

The surface slabs are getting stiffer and more reactive after last night's wind. As that slab tightens, the likelihood of a person triggering it increases.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Winds will calm down slightly tonight. Expect 30km wind to settle to 15km for tomorrow. As they settle, they will also swing to come out of the north. No significant snow is expected. Alpine highs will be around 0°.

Avalanche Summary

A new wind slab was observed in the alpine near HIghwood Pass. It was a freshly formed windslab that was larger than what we've seen in the past few days. A healthy size 2.

Snowpack Summary

As predicted, the winds made a strong appearance today. Pretty much all elevations had some wind effect going on. The alpine was by far the worst, with slabs being formed well down of ridge crests. These alpine slabs will be dense enough to be s significant concern. Treeline is the hidden hazard now. The snow above the Jan 6th layer is now firm enough to act as a slab and propagate once the underlying layers are disturbed. While we haven't really added any load to the snowpack, the dense surface slab is enough to make the Jan 6 surface hoar a real concern

Problems

Wind Slabs

The increasing winds have left these slabs in most lee areas. Exposed gravel on ridge suggests they will extend well below ridge lines.

Avoid steep lee and cross-loaded slopesAvoid freshly wind loaded features.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Persistent Slabs

Look for, and asses this layer as you approach treeline. Assume it is there and reactive until tests and observations rule it out.

Evaluate unsupported slopes critically.Avoid open slopes and convex rolls at treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved.Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 14th, 2018 2:00PM