Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Feb 13 – 14, 2013Alberta Parks
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Archived · expired 14 years ago

Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Recent snow and extreme NW winds are creating storm slabs that are sensitive to human triggering. This new snow has buried a wide variety of layers that will give inconsistent shear results. Evaluate the snowpack carefully.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–4
    Previously formed  hard wind slabs are now buried 10 to 40cm deep in alpine and treeline areas. Shallow snowpack areas and steep convex features are potential triggering spots for this buried wind slab.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–4
    Storm slab development is on-going on lee and cross loaded features in alpine and treeline areas. With the extreme NW winds these slabs extend far downslope on E and S aspects and will be sensitive to human triggering.

Confidence

Fair - Due to limited field observations

Weather Forecast

NW winds will continue on Thursday, and will increase in speed through the day. No precipitation is expected and alpine temperatures will range from -18 to -6 degrees.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new, but observations were limited.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 12cm of new snow at treeline in the past 24hrs. Storm slab development in alpine and treeline areas with slabs between 20 and 30cm deep. Previously formed hard slabs that are widespread on NW through S aspects are now well hidden under the new snow. Weak and facetted snowpack remains at lower altitudes.

Regions covered