Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Feb 6 – 7, 2013Alberta Parks
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Archived · expired 14 years ago

Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Little change is expected with no precipitation in the forecast. Later in the week sunny periods may be a cause for concern on solar aspects.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–4
    Hard slabs are widespread in Alpine areas as a result of strong winds for the past week. Pockets of thin recently formed wind slab are also present.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–4
    Buried wind slabs should be expected throughout the region and are likely more sensitive to triggering from shallow snowpack regions. The Jan 6 surface hoar layer is also a concern on steep sheltered slopes at lower elevations.

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Winds will diminish slightly over the next 24hrs, with alpine temperatures near -12. No significant precipitation is in the forecast.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new in the last several days.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 7cm over the last 24 hours. Isolated wind slab development still occurring, but due to extended periods of windy conditions most windward slopes are bare rock. Hard slabs dominate the alpine with pockets of both hard and soft slabs present at treeline. The Jan 6 surface hoar layer is still being found in sheltered locations at lower elevations. This layer continues to produce shears in stability tests, and is something to watch for in steep terrain at treeline and below, especially on N and E aspects.

Regions covered