Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Dec 8 – 9, 2020Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

Highlights

15-20cm of snow is expected overnight with strong winds forecast. Watch for conditions changing over the next 24hrs. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2.5

    A fresh layer of wind slab is expected to build overtop of the previous hard windslabs, which are widespread in alpine areas and even down into treeline. Listen for that drummy or hollow feel as an indication to be extra careful.    

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–3

    The November crust continues to be the main concern in the snowpack. Any avalanche in the upper snowpack will likely scrub down to these layers

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

The models all seem to agree that we should get 12-18cm of snow over the next 24hrs. Temperatures will be dropping back to more seasonal temperatures and winds easing at the higher elevations.   

Avalanche Summary

A few loose dry avalanches up to sz 2 were observed in the forecast region. 

Snowpack Summary

Warm temps started the day on Tuesday and once again a crust related to rain was developed overnight up to 2300m. As the new snow moves in over the next 24hrs we expect a variety of different snow surfaces to get buried including windslabs, surface hoar, crusts related to last weeks warm temps and facets. Windslabs will be harder to see and we have to see how this new snow bonds to the underlying crust.  

Terrain and Travel

  • Fresh wind slabs will likely form throughout the day, diligently watch for changing conditions.
  • Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
  • Watch for areas of hard wind slab on alpine features.

Regions covered