Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Apr 13 – 14, 2013Alberta Parks
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Archived · expired 13 years ago

Avalanche danger

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

Up to 40cm of recent snow has formed storm slabs on N and E aspects, but Northerly winds are now forming slabs on S aspects as well. We have shifted back to winter and while ski quality is excellent, be cautious in wind loaded terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Sluffing is occurring in steep terrain on all aspects. Be aware of overhead terrain.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–4
    Storm slabs between 30 and 60cm thick are present at and above treeline between in lee and cross-loaded features. Slabs are also developing on South aspects as winds increase from the North.

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Winds will be strong from the North on Sunday and snow flurries will continue. New snow accumulations will likely be less than 10cm. Temperatures will be below seasonal with alpine values near -16.

Avalanche Summary

Several loose dry up to size 1.5 were observed in steep alpine terrain. A size 2.0 avalanche on a SE aspect of Hero's Knob occurred sometime in the past 24 to 36 hours, but obscured conditions made it difficult to determine the trigger and the age of the debris.

Snowpack Summary

Between 10 and 40cm of storm snow now lies on a variety of previous surfaces. This storm snow is settling rapidly and is sluffing in steep terrain at higher elevations. Storm slabs exist on N and E aspects at treeline and above, and slabs are also developing on South aspects due to increasing Northerly winds.

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