A massive natural avalanche cycle has happened in Kananaskis. It's a good time to stay away from any avalanche terrain as these avalanches have ran full path.
Numerous layers in the upper snowpack have produced naturally triggered avalanches. Layers of concern exist down 20 to 80cm. The incoming storm has overloaded these layers
The severity of this problem will solely rely on the quality of the freeze overnight.
Rain at lower elevations and heavy snow at upper elevations have woken up this layer. Avoid avalanche terrain,
A wide spread avalanche cycle to Sz 3.5 noted today on a road patrol along the spray. Almost every avalanche path has ran full path, along with some fresh timber being torn out along trim lines. Most avalanches started as dry snow up high and as it gained mass and lost elevation started to gouge to ground and became wet.
20-30cm of wet storm snow now sits atop a rain soaked snowpack up to 2200m. Previous wind has created widespread wind slabs at upper elevations. Persistent weak layers down 20 to 80cm are still a concern and these have produced sporadic avalanche activity over the past week. And of course, who could forget about the November facets/depth hoar! Alive and well, this deep persistent problem is likely to become active with the incoming rain, warm temperatures and possibly heavy accumulations at upper elevations..
Tuesday night will see more flurries and a low of -11.
Wednesday the storm continues with a forecasted additional 22cm of snow and day time highs of -8. light east winds. Freezing levels will slightly drop to 1600m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
