Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Kananaskis.
Confidence
-
Weather Forecast
Continued moderate to strong winds from the SW are forecast well into Saturday. Friday's forecast indicates 12cm of snow and alpine temperature up to -6c.
Avalanche Summary
No avalanches observed today. This will probably change with the forecasted snow and continued winds.
Snowpack Summary
Continued moderate to strong SW winds are building the wind slabs in the alpine and open areas at tree line. Lee features and cross loaded gullies are very loaded and touchy. With the forecasted snow and continued winds, the likelihood of triggering an avalanche is increasing.A snow profile was dug today at tree line at Burstall Pass showing us that the lower half of the snowpack is weak consisting mostly of depth hoar. Test results indicated failure in the depth hoar 75cm off the ground. This is a concern as there is a well settled snowpack above this weak layer and if triggered from a weak spot, there could be a very large avalanche.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 2 - 3
Persistent Slabs
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3
Deep Persistent Slabs
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 4