Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Kananaskis.
Warmth and wind often go hand in hand around here, and tomorrow will be a good example of that. Strong winds will make the alpine travel slightly less than pleasant.
Confidence
Moderate -
Weather Forecast
A 6/10 weather day tomorrow, not great...but not terrible either. Minus 8 overnight with a day time high of -6. Thick cloud for most of the day and only a few flurries giving maybe a few centimeters. As for the winds...well, they will be raging. Valley bottom gusts could reach into the moderate range and ridge top winds will be 90km+.Â
Avalanche Summary
One sz2.5 was noted in the Goat Range, just behind Spray Lake. It started high and stepped down to what we think is the Dec 2nd crust.
Snowpack Summary
Burstall Pass was our objective for the day. The warmth hasn't had a hugely negative impact on the snowpack. It did cause the top 10-12cm to settle and form either widespread wind slab, or a "settlement" slab. No surface crusts were found today. A profile at treeline had the Dec crust down about 120cm and unreactive to tests. Ski quality is alright, but the snow feels heavy and turns don't come easy.
Terrain and Travel
- Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
- Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to the presence of a persistent slab.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
High winds and warm temps have left a widespread windslab layer everywhere but the most sheltered of slopes. Unsupported terrain and convex rolls should be treated with caution.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5
Persistent Slabs
This layer is still on the radar. While not reactive to natural triggers in recent days, this layer could produce very large avalanches if triggered.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely
Expected Size: 2.5 - 3.5