Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Dec 31, 2020 – Jan 1, 2021Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low

Highlights

Happy new year! Not much changing in the snowpack currently but a storm is forecasted to reach the region on Saturday with new snow and winds. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    This wind slab is referring to the surface wind slab and the buried wind slab up to 40cm down. In steep and unsupported terrain, they could be sensitive to human triggering.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–3.5

    This problem isnt going away. A few large avalanches last week keep this layer on our mind. Espeically in thin snowpack areas. 

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

Friday is looking to be warm and windy (moderate to strong SW) ahead of the front that is forecast to arrive on Saturday and give us some much needed snow over the weekend. Forecast amounts vary between 10-25cm of snow expected.  

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed on Thursday. 

Snowpack Summary

For December its s good snowpack! The main concern is the generations of windslabs that currently exist in the upper snowpack. As you transition from the trees into the more wind affected treeline and alpine be looking for these windslabs and be thinking about thick to thin snowpack areas. Thin weak areas will be the most likely places to trigger these windslabs that may also step down to the basal november crust. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Avoid areas where the snow feels stiff and/or slabby.
  • Avoid convexities, steep unsupported terrain and rocky outcroppings.
  • Be aware of the potential for wide propagation.

Regions covered