Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Jan 29, 2018Alberta Parks
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Avalanche danger

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

More snow on the way associated with strong winds for the next couple of days will change the hazard quickly. Minimize your exposure.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    1.5–3
    These are multiple slabs that are laminated together. Stepping down to deeper instabilities is likely.  More snow and wind on its way to possibly tip the odds for greater avalanche activity.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1.5–2.5
    As snow load increases, the "triggerability" of this layer will go up.

Confidence

Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Monday

Weather Forecast

Weather forecast is indicating 17cm of snowfall for Monday with 55 km/h SW winds.  Temperature in the alpine is to be -4c and freezing level near 1800m.

Avalanche Summary

One size 2 was observed.

Snowpack Summary

Lost happening at different elevations.  At tree line (below 2250m) and below tree line, there is the Jan 6 surface hoar layer that is quite visible in the snowpack. Today, our test results  on this layer were in the hard range but we expect that to vary depending on the valley.  The one thing that is consistent with this layer is that the test results always show it to be sudden planar (clean sheer and pops). Something to keep an eye out as well with the snow arriving on Monday.Above 2250m, the Jan 6 surface hoar layer is more or less is gone.  However the Dec 15 surface hoar layer is down about 80cm.  And here is where it gets interesting.  We have seen some larger avalanches go on this layer and then quiet down. On Monday Jan 29, the forecast is for about 20cm with 55 km/h winds.  That means more wind slabs and more load on this layer which is likely to tip the odds for more avalanche activity.

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