Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Jan 25 – 26, 2014Alberta Parks
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Archived · expired 13 years ago

Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

The snowpack is in a classic "low probability, high consequence" state. Though it is currently more difficult to trigger a slide, avalanches could be large and destructive due to the deeply buried weak layer.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–4
    Wind slabs are widespread on lee and cross-loaded features at Treeline and above. Human triggering is possible in convex/unsupported terrain as well as shallow snowpack areas.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    3–6
    Avalanches could step down to the basal October layers and involve the entire winters snowpack. Wide propagations are possible. Shallow snowpack areas are a potential trigger point.

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Mix of sun and cloud with cooler temperatures on Sunday. Winds will become light to moderate from the North. No precipitation is expected in the next few days.

Avalanche Summary

Isolated solar triggered activity up to size 1.0.

Snowpack Summary

Surface growth up to 15mm in sheltered areas below treeline. Moist snow on solar aspects penetrating 10cm into snowpack. October facets/depth hoar layer still prominent at base of snowpack. Wind slabs exist at all elevations and on all aspects except W and SW in Alpine.

Regions covered