Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 15th, 2020–Jan 16th, 2020

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Kananaskis.

Good skiing can be found in most places without having to venture out onto larger slopes. Any small avalanche has the likelihood of triggering the entire snow pack.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

It looks like we are coming out of the deep freeze. Temperatures along the Spray road on Thursday morning is forecast to be around -22c and warming up to -12c by early afternoon. Flurries with up to 4cm of snow can be expected with moderate South winds in the alpine.

Outlook for Friday and Saturday is light snow with temperatures ranging between -10c and -20c.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been observed.

Snowpack Summary

The cold temperatures are creating surface faceting and most likely some surface hoar growth as well. There are several generations of buried wind slabs in the top 50cm of the snow pack in the alpine and tree line that are still a concern for triggering. If any avalanche is triggered in the upper snowpack, there is a strong possibility to wake up the deeper persistent slab which is sitting on the November complex (crust, facets and depth hoar).

Terrain and Travel

If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.