Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 7th, 2018 3:00PM

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

mike.koppang, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

By definition we are at moderate right now but skier triggering is much more likely with the new windslabs. Rein it in and pull back a bit right now.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

MondayMainly cloudy with isolated flurries.Precipitation: Trace.Alpine temperature: High -6 °C.Ridge wind southwest: 35 km/h.Freezing level: 1500 metres.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed.

Snowpack Summary

The warm temps and strong winds are creating widespread windslabs in the alpine and specific areas at treeline. These slabs are 20-30cm thick and failing on weak facets and/or the December 15th interface. The November crusts are still deeper down in the snowpack but they are facetting out more and more each day and have yet to produce a significant sheer during snowpack tests.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Widespread windslabs in Alpine terrain and specific areas at immediate treeline such as gullied features.

Carefully evaluate and use caution around thin snowpack areas.Avoid cross loaded features.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 8th, 2018 2:00PM