Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Kananaskis.
With warmer temperatures and solar radiation, the snow surface is likely to get moist and the likelihood of triggering avalanches will increase.
Confidence
Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the timing or intensity of solar radiation and its effect on the snowpack.
Weather Forecast
Wednesday overnight low temperatures in the alpine will be around 0c. Thursday is forecast to be a mix of sun and cloud, a high of +5c and 100km/hr winds from the West.
Avalanche Summary
The cloud cover and wind kept things cooler on the mountainside than predicted. A surprising lack of avalanche activity. Let's see what the warm weather will do on Thursday.
Snowpack Summary
On Wednesday, the forecasting crew came across moist snow below tree line which is likely to harden overnight. Expect sun crust on solar aspects early in the morning and wet snow later. The alpine looks a bit like the moon with wind slabs and sastrugi formations. More wind is on the way but there is not much loose snow to move around anymore. With a warm overnight temperature and another warm day forecast for Thursday, keep an eye out for moist snow under your skis. This moist snow increases the likelihood of triggering avalanches.
Terrain and Travel
- Avoid exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes, especially when the solar radiation is strong.
- Cornices become weak with daytime heating or solar exposure.
- Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
Avalanche Problems
Loose Wet
Be alert on all solar aspects
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Cornices
Cornice failures are more frequent with heat and solar radiation
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5
Wind Slabs
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5