Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Dec 10 – 11, 2015Alberta Parks
View on map
Archived · expired 11 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
Open full map

Highlights

A natural avalanche cycle is subsiding, but human-triggering is still likely. The Dec 4th weak layer is highly variable in it's distribution and requires careful evaluation before choosing a route.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    2–4
    Storm slabs up to 50cm deep sitting on top of the Dec 4th interface are found in the Alpine and at Treeline in lee and cross-loaded features. Recent avalanche activity on this layer has occurred in the past 48hrs.

Confidence

Moderate

Weather Forecast

Friday will be mainly cloudy with isolated flurries. Alpine temperature should reach a high of -6 C, with ridge-top winds out of the west at 15-30 km/h. Windy conditions expected on Saturday with a chance of some sunny breaks.

Avalanche Summary

Several naturally triggered storm slabs have occurred in the past 48hrs on N, NE and E aspects generally between 2700m and 2100m. These slides averaged 50cm in depth and ranged from size 1.5 to 2.5.

Snowpack Summary

Storm slabs are present in lee and cross-loaded terrain at Treeline and above. These slabs sit on the Dec 4th weak layer (consists of surface hoar, sun crust or facets) down 35 to 45cm, and still appear to be sensitive to triggering. The distribution and fracture potential of the Dec 4th weak layer is highly variable. Some cornice growth has occurred in typical locations.

Regions covered