Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Feb 10 – 11, 2018Alberta Parks
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Archived · expired 9 years ago

Avalanche danger

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

Natural avalanche activity has decreased over the past 24hrs.  Human triggered avalanches are still a major concern

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    1.5–2.5
    Found at treeline and above up to 50cm thick. They are being found on all aspects due to reverse loading patterns of recent winds.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    2–3.5
    Widepsread avalanche activity observed recently stepping down to the persistent deep layers such as Jan 6th Surface hoar and the Dec 15th Facet surface hoar interface.  Any human triggerred slides will also likely step down to this interface

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Winds are forecast to increase overnight into the strong range before easing on Sunday morning with the arrival of the cold front.  Temperatures will begin to drop, and we may see a bit of snow as a weak upslope storm moves through the region. 

Avalanche Summary

Avalanche control work today on Mt Buller produced slides up to sz 3 with fracture depths up to 1.5m.  A few isolated natural avalanches up to sz 2 were observed in the north part of the forecast area but field observations in the southern areas were limited.  Tell us what you are seeing at [email protected] or via messenger on facebook.

Snowpack Summary

Winds and temperatures are causing the upper snowpack to settle.  As it settles we are beginning to see natural avalanche activity begin to decrease but conditions are perfect for human triggerring.  Wind slabs should be expected in the upper snowpack in the Alpine and isolated areas at treeline.  These slabs are up to 40cm thick and on all aspects due to reverse loading.  Any slab that initiates in the upper snowpack is likely to step down to any one of the lower wear layers.  These layers include the Jan 18th and 6th surface hoar layers down being found below 2400m down around 1m+ and the Dec15th facet interface down 150cm being found all the way up and into the alpine.  Stick to conservative terrain and minimize your exposure to overhead areas. 

Regions covered