Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 11th, 2022 3:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
JMackenzie,
Avalanche Canada
Wind, wind, wind!!! Expect to find wind slabs in virtually all skiable terrain, and these slabs are sensitive to human triggering.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate -
Weather Forecast
Wednesday will be a cloudy with light flurries and warm temperatures. Snow fall amounts could total 10cm by the end of the day. Temperatures will climb to -2C with freezing levels near 2000m. Westerly winds in excess of 100km/h at mountain top will diminish slight after noon.
Avalanche Summary
No field teams were in the Spray Valley today, so observations are fairly limited. However, one size 2.5 slab avalanche was observed on an east aspect on Mt Rundle. It is possible that this slide was triggered by cornice collapse, but this is unconfirmed.
Snowpack Summary
The snowpack is settling with the recent warm temperatures. Unfortunately the strong to extreme westerly winds continued again on Tuesday. Expect to find wind slabs at all elevations except the most sheltered terrain below treeline. The wind slabs vary considerably in depth, but range from 30 to 100cm deep. Human triggering of these slabs is likely. Forecasters also continue to monitor the Dec crust layer buried 100 to 150cm in the snowpack. This layer is capable of producing very large avalanches if it is initiated.
Terrain and Travel
- Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
- Watch for areas of hard wind slab on alpine features.
- Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to the presence of a persistent slab.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wide spread wind event happening in the Kananaskis region right now. Strong snow transport at ridge top's and even gusty conditions down in the valley. Expect to find wind slabs virtually everywhere.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
This layer is still on the radar. While not reactive to natural triggers in recent days, this layer could produce very large avalanches if triggered.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 12th, 2022 3:00PM
