Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Mar 9 – 10, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

A smaller storm is due to arrive over the next couple days. This will increase the already heightened danger ratings we are dealing with. Fresh windslabs will be easily triggered and step down to lower layers in the snowpack is highly likely.

A Special Public Avalanche Warning is in effect and has been extended. Click the red SPAW link for details.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    2–3

    New slabs extend well below ridge lines. Expect crossloading in most features. Cornice failures may also trigger this layer.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    2–3

    This layer is breaking down at the upper limits. At 2250m it is much weaker than last week.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2.5–3.5

    Avalanches may step down to the weaker deep basal layers. If this layer is involved, expect full path avalanches.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed today. The sun is really starting to have some power. Solar aspects are becoming moist in the afternoons and pinwheeling is a good indicator of the surface snow loosing cohesion.

Snowpack Summary

The winds continue to blow in the higher elevations. Visible transport was observed throughout the whole day in Canmore and along the spray. Fresh wind loading can be expected from all the available snow in fetch area's. On solar aspects there is a sun crust forming and soon to be buried if the forecasted snow is true, this will create a new sliding layer to be aware of. The Feb 2nd crust continues to break down.

Weather Summary

Mainly cloudy with sunny periods. Flurries throughout the day may accumulate up to 5 cm. Day time high of -7 and winds will be Southwest at 35 km/h Gusting to 60km.

Over the next 3.5 days most forecasts re calling for roughly 25cm.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Potential for wide propagation exists, fresh slabs may rest on surface hoar, facets and/or crust.
  • Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.

Regions covered