Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Jan 4 – 5, 2014Alberta Parks
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Archived · expired 13 years ago

Avalanche danger

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

When the winds pick up we can expect another cycle to begin. Keep an eye out for quickly changing conditions. Be flexible in your trips and don't hesitate to change plans.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    2–6
    Triggering of this layer may be from a thin, weak area or from a smaller avalanche over whelming the strength of the midpack and stepping down. Large terrain features remain suspect. Full depth avalanches are still very possible.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely - Certain
    Size
    1–2
    The lack of wind is keeping this problem on the radar. In particular, gullies and steep cliffs are a concern. Ice climbers be aware of your position in the terrain and how it may effect you.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1–4
    Some natural activity noted today in the alpine. Generally the new snow is still unaffected by the light winds. As the winds pick up this problem will become more of a concern. Immediate lee features are of particular concern.

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

The cold temps will peak tonight with a warming trend slowly moving in for the rest of the week. There is no new snow expected in the immediate future. Only clear skies. The winds will stay out of the north and range in values. They will peak at 70km/hr (3000m) tonight.

Avalanche Summary

Yesterday's large natural avalanches appear to have been limited to a very specific region. A snow study flight today only offered a view of moderate sized avalanches in the alpine storm snow.

Snowpack Summary

A lack of wind has left the storm snow relatively undisturbed at all elevations. The total storm snow amounts to 35cm's near the divide. The interface between new and old snow had a repeatable instability that shows up in stability tests (Compression test moderate(14) sudden planar). The snow beneath the new storm snow varies depending on elevation & aspect. Alpine areas tend to have a windslab and treeline and below has a mix of isolated windslabs and facets. Deeper down the facet/depth hoar combo is still considered weak, despite the travel improving. In every sense of the word, the snowpack is considered to be variable.

Regions covered