Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Feb 25 – 26, 2016Alberta Parks
View on map
Archived · expired 11 years ago

Avalanche danger

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

Highlights

Avalanche conditions are steadily improving, however tomorrow will likely see a spike in temperatures. Be prepared for rapidly rising temperatures and related avalanche problems. Loose wet, cornices and touchier slabs are all problems if it warms up.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    The expected strong solar input tomorrow may increase the likelihood of triggering. Steep south slopes and overhead slopes, should be treated with caution later in the day.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    The strong solar effect has the potential to make for a widespread cornice failure tomorrow. Watch temps carefully and avoid any cornice exposure during warm weather.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–5
    Recent avalanche activity has tested this layer with encouraging results. Despite that, we must recognize the variable nature of the snowpack and still treat this layer with some concern. Big terrain should be approached with caution.

Confidence

Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Mostly sunny skies tomorrow with a rising freezing level. The forecasted alpine high for the Spray region is -2. Using today as a reference, we can probably expect the actual high to beat that, especially on solar aspects. The winds will pick up to west/35km/hr.

Avalanche Summary

2 natural cornice avalanches were seen today. Details are:sz2-2.5, 2540m, N asp, traveled 200m vertical. Cornice fell from ridge onto slopes below and only triggered superficial slabs on the way down. No action from the Jan 6th.Sz 1.5, 2400m, N asp. Did not trigger slope belowLoose dry avalanches up to sz1.5 were noted on steep south alpine slopes today as well. Again, no triggering of slopes below.

Snowpack Summary

The cold clear nights have just started to put a layer of surface hoar down up to treeline. We can expect this to linger on north aspects, on south aspects the sun is making short work of melting it. The crusts from earlier in the week are still evident when breaking trail up to 1900m. Solar aspects will likely have a new crust from today's blue skies. Treeline has pockets of windslab left over from Feb 8th when we had the strong northerly wind event. Both of our problem layers (Feb 11th crust & Jan 6th facets) are repairing themselves and gaining strength. The alpine is currently a mess of wind slabs and thin breakable wind skins. Cornices have slowed in terms of growth, but there are some big ones out there!

Regions covered