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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 11th, 2022–Jan 12th, 2022
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Kananaskis.

Wind, wind, wind!!! Expect to find wind slabs in virtually all skiable terrain, and these slabs are sensitive to human triggering.

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.

Avalanche 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: Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5

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: Unlikely

Expected Size: 2.5 - 3.5