Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 11th, 2019 3:00PM

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

mike.koppang, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Sheltered areas will have some decent skiing but thats about it. We still have low confidence in our current snowpack and we are playing it conservative out there.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Winds are forecast to calm down but unfortunately the damage is done... Temps will remain above average around -4C and no new snow is in the forecast till maybe after the weekend.... The ice climbing is great right now though!!!

Avalanche Summary

One sz 2 on a SW aspects above rummel lake that ran from steep alpine terrain down well below treeline.

Snowpack Summary

Wind and basal facets are the themes this year so far... Another windy day again 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. 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. Skiing is OK but not great. Still feels like a low snowpack year...

Problems

Wind Slabs

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

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

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.

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

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Jan 12th, 2019 2:00PM