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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 12th, 2022–Jan 13th, 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
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
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.

Not much changing out there right now. What little snow is left on the windward sides continues to be added to the windslabs on the lee features. Drummy, hollow and spooky slabs are common in wind affected terrain right now. 

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Light snowfalls or rain showers at lower elevations, warm temperatures with daytime highs around -3C and a freezing level around 2000m. These temps are doing very little for the ski quality right now but the long term is there will be a good base to look forward to the rest of the year!

Avalanche Summary

Ice Climbing was the name of the game today with the warm temperatures! Not much in the way of new avalanche activity on Wednesday. 

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack is settling with the recent warm temperatures. Unfortunately the strong to extreme westerly winds continued again on wednesday. 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