Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Dec 31, 2017 – Jan 1, 2018Alberta Parks
View on map
Archived · expired 9 years ago

Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
Open full map

Highlights

Warmer temps and NW winds will cause the upper snowpack to settle and potentially the windslabs become slightly more reactive.  Use caution at Alpine and treeline as the doesn't like rapid changes...

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Wind slabs in open areas and along ridge lines on all aspects. So far they have not been reactive to skier traffic. More wind affect locally at Tent and Commonwealth areas.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Be cautious in steeper terrain. Sluffs are running far and fast

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Warmer temperatures are forecast to finally arrive but we can also expect winds to increase into the moderate range out of the NW. Blue Bird day is forecast so it will be a nice day in the mountains!  Watch for pockets with reverse loading on Southern aspects.

Avalanche Summary

A few loose dry avalanches up to sz 2 likely triggered by solar input. There was also a few small slabs avalanches up to sz 1 within the recent storm snow from steeper terrain that ran far entraining facets on the underlying slopes.

Snowpack Summary

Recent HST is slowly settling with the cooler temps. Windslabs developing in open alpine areas on all aspects but still not reactive to skier traffic. North area of the forecast region (Tent and Commonwealth) seems to have seen more widespread winds but this seem to be localized to this area.

Regions covered