Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Jan 6 – 7, 2013Alberta Parks
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Avalanche danger

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

After several weeks of no change, the danger level is expected to rise this week due to increased snowfall and strong to extreme winds. The surface hoar and surface facets will not bare the new snow load well. It is time to pull in the reins!

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–4
    Wind slab development is ongoing in the Alpine with up to 15cm of recent snow and persistent strong W and NW winds. Convex and/or unsupported lee and cross loaded terrain at ridgeline should be treated with caution.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Loose dry avalanches should be expected in extreme terrain as the new snow sits on a weak layer of facets and surface hoar. This is of particular concern to ice climbers.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    3–6
    Its easy to forget about this problem but don't forget about it just yet.  This basal crust will be the likely layer for some large avalanches.  It may be easier to trigger from thin or shallow snow pack areas so heads up in this type of terrain.

Confidence

Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather is uncertain on Tuesday

Weather Forecast

Monday will see winds up to 100km/h out of the NW and temperatures near -11. An additional 5 to 10cm of snow is possible with as much as 40cm possible Tuesday night.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing observed, but visibility was mainly obscured.

Snowpack Summary

10 to 15cm of new snow at treeline in the past 36hrs. Further wind slab development has occurred in alpine areas and loading was ongoing due to strong W and NW winds.

Regions covered