Avalanche Forecast
Kananaskis Country, Alberta Parks
There are a couple of layers of concern in the upper snowpack. Take the time to dig down and evaluate the layers before committing to bigger terrain.
Avalanche Problem 1: Wind Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Avoid freshly wind loaded features.
- Avoid steep lee and cross-loaded slopes
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
- Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.
- Avoid open slopes and convex rolls at treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
- Evaluate unsupported slopes critically.
Avalanche Summary
Nothing new observed or reported today.
Snowpack Summary
Variable wind effect in the alpine, with areas of hard slab, soft slab, exposed crusts, soft snow and everything in between. In some areas the wind slabs extend slightly down into Treeline, but this condition is not widespread. The Jan 6th surface hoar seems quite spotty in distribution, and is not overly reactive to ski cutting in areas skied today. The main concern in the upper snowpack is the Dec 15th interface (surface hoar, sun crust or 10cm layer of facets) which is now buried 50 to 60cm at Treeline. Forecasters continue to watch the basal layers (November and October crusts) and just recently the Nov 26th crust became reactive in snow stability tests.
Weather Forecast
Monday will bring a mix of sun and cloud with no precipitation. Temperatures will be warm with highs near 0 °C at ridge-top. Winds are expected to be light from the SW. Not much change for Tuesday and Wednesday except a slight chance of flurries on Wednesday.
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A variety of wind slab conditions are found in the Alpine. Some slabs also extend down into Treeline in wind prone areas. Human triggering is possible in steep and unsupported terrain.