Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Mar 5 – 6, 2020Avalanche Canada
View on map
Archived · expired 7 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
Open full map

Highlights

New snow and persistent strong winds have raised the avalanche danger. Stick to conservative terrain and avoid overhead hazard.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1–3

    Extensive wind slab development continues. Human triggering is very likely.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    1.5–3

    Cornices are large in many areas, and if triggered may release and wind slab or a deep persistent slab on the slopes below.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–4

    Deep persistent slabs may be triggered by a large trigger such as a cornice fall. Be especially cautious in shallow snowpack areas where triggering is easier.

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

Thursday should bring a mix of sun and cloud with winds out of the SW at 80km/h. Temperatures are expected to reach -4 in the Alpine. Friday and Saturday look snowy with as much as 25cm falling over the course of those two days.

Avalanche Summary

Given the recent intense wind loading, there has been a surprising lack of natural avalanche activity. The snowpack is nearing a tipping point, and a natural avalanche cycle is expected to begin in the near future.

Snowpack Summary

Another 15cm of new snow in past 24 hours brings recent storm snow totals to near 45cm. Extreme westerly winds have stripped west aspects down to bare rock and redistributed significant amounts of snow on N, NE and E aspects. Expect extensive wind slab development on lee and cross-loaded features. These slabs could easily be 100cm deep in places. Human triggering is very likely and a natural avalanche cycle is a real possibility in the next couple of days.

Terrain and Travel

  • Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of strong wind.
  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to the presence of a deep persistent slab.
  • Minimize exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow and wind.
  • Avoid lee and cross-loaded slopes at and above treeline.
  • Use conservative route selection. Choose simple, low-angle, well-supported terrain with no overhead hazard.
  • Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.

Regions covered