Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Mar 10 – 11, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

The snowpack is tricky right now. New wind slabs, sun crust and a deeper crust all play into your route selection. This new snow might be enough to cover the most recent avalanche debris and would provide safer options.

A Special Public Avalanche Warning is in effect and has been extended. Click the red SPAW link for details.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    2–3

    New slabs extend well below ridge lines. Expect crossloading in most features. Cornice failures may also trigger this layer.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    2–3

    This layer is breaking down at the upper limits. At 2250m it is much weaker than last week.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2.5–3.5

    Avalanches may step down to the weaker deep basal layers. If this layer is involved, expect full path avalanches.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed today. The sun is really starting to have some power. Solar aspects can become moist in the afternoon if the sun pokes out. Pinwheeling is a good indicator of the surface snow loosing cohesion.

Snowpack Summary

The winds have been strong the last few days creating extensive wind slabs at tree line and above and if triggered, could step down to the Feb 2 layer down 70-100cm. Expect the most recent sun crust to be buried under 5-10cm of this incoming snow on solar aspects. This sun crust will be a new sliding layer for the most recent snow to avalanche on, especially if the snow amounts are larger than forecasted.

Weather Summary

Cloudy and flurries on Monday with up to 10cm of snow by mid-day. The high temperature in the alpine will be -5c and freezing level around 2000m. Winds are expected to slow down a bit to 50-60km/hr from the SW.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Potential for wide propagation exists, fresh slabs may rest on surface hoar, facets and/or crust.
  • Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.

Regions covered