Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Mar 23 – 24, 2013Alberta Parks
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Archived · expired 14 years ago

Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Wind slabs remain sensitive to human triggering in steep terrain. Solar radiation will be a significant factor over the next few days. Pay attention to increasing danger levels as daytime heating and radiation affect solar aspects and cornices.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–5
    A variety of wind slabs have been created over the last week. These slabs are now hidden under 15 to 20cm of recent snow, but remain sensitive to human triggering in steeper terrain.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–5
    Cornice failures continue to be a theme, with several failures triggering slab avalanches in recent days. Be aware of overhead exposure especially during times of intense solar radiation.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–5
    A few crust layers are found in the upper snowpack. These crusts reach as high as 3000m on S aspects and 2200m on other aspects. Monitor the location of these layers within the snowpack and assess the bond with layers above.

Confidence

Good - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Mostly sunny for the next several days with generally light winds. Temperatures will be seasonal and no precipitation is expected.

Avalanche Summary

A few naturally triggered slab and loose avalanches occurred today. A few small cornice failures also occurred. One significant slide, size 2.0,  was observed midday on an East aspect at 2700m. This slide initiated as a small sluff, which then triggered several small slabs on the moderate angled rock bands below. Debris was channeled into a gully feature.

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack continues to settle. Moist snow on steep solar aspects in the afternoon. Wind slabs remain prominent in Alpine and open Treeline terrain, especially on N and E aspects. These slabs are sensitive to human triggering in steep, convex or un-supported terrain. Cornices are large in some areas and regular failures have been occurring over the past several days. Buried crust layers are a concern on solar aspects when radiation is high and/or temperatures are warm.

Regions covered