Avalanche Forecast
Kananaskis Country, Alberta Parks
The surface slabs are getting stiffer and more reactive after last night's wind. As that slab tightens, the likelihood of a person triggering it increases.
Avalanche Problem 1: Wind Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Avoid steep lee and cross-loaded slopes
- Avoid freshly wind loaded features.
Avalanche Problem 2: Persistent Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Look for, and asses this layer as you approach treeline. Assume it is there and reactive until tests and observations rule it out.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Evaluate unsupported slopes critically.
- Avoid open slopes and convex rolls at treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
- Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.
Avalanche Summary
A new wind slab was observed in the alpine near HIghwood Pass. It was a freshly formed windslab that was larger than what we've seen in the past few days. A healthy size 2.
Snowpack Summary
As predicted, the winds made a strong appearance today. Pretty much all elevations had some wind effect going on. The alpine was by far the worst, with slabs being formed well down of ridge crests. These alpine slabs will be dense enough to be s significant concern. Treeline is the hidden hazard now. The snow above the Jan 6th layer is now firm enough to act as a slab and propagate once the underlying layers are disturbed. While we haven't really added any load to the snowpack, the dense surface slab is enough to make the Jan 6 surface hoar a real concern
Weather Forecast
Winds will calm down slightly tonight. Expect 30km wind to settle to 15km for tomorrow. As they settle, they will also swing to come out of the north. No significant snow is expected. Alpine highs will be around 0°.
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The increasing winds have left these slabs in most lee areas. Exposed gravel on ridge suggests they will extend well below ridge lines.