Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Mar 5 – 6, 2013Alberta Parks
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

With some new snowfall expected by Wednesday PM we may see a spike in danger rating at treeline by Thursday depending upon just how much new snow combined with winds the area experiences.  Be cautious traveling below slopes with overhead hazard.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    2–5
    Cornices have grown significantly in the past 3 days and several cornice failures occurred recently which triggered slab avalanches up to Size 3 on the slopes below.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Recent snowfall and light/moderate winds has lead to sluffing from steep terrain on all aspects at all elevations.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    2–5
    Snow from the most recent storms which totalled as much as 50-70cm is settling out . Slab development is present in lee and cross-loaded terrain. The natural avalanche cycle has tapered off, but prime conditions exist for human triggering.

Snowpack Summary

Softslabs are forming in open alpine terrain due to light to moderate SW winds.  The colder temps have resulted in some tightening up of the snowpack but winds are building cornices which have been large triggers for underlying slopes.

Confidence

Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Wednesday

Weather Forecast

Light snowfall expected by midday Wednesday with temps beginning a slow climb - Precip amounts may top out at 10-12cm. Lower elevation terrain may see temps rise slightly above the freezing level. 

Avalanche Summary

A couple of notable cornice failures on Tuesday producing slab avalanches on terrain below Size 2-3.  The Size 3 in particular stepped down into some older windslabs but not to ground.

Regions covered