Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Feb 9 – 10, 2022Avalanche Canada
View on map
Archived · expired 5 years ago

Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
Open full map

Highlights

With warmer temperatures and solar radiation, the snow surface is likely to get moist and the likelihood of triggering avalanches will increase.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2.5

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Cornice failures are more frequent with heat and solar radiation

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Be alert on all solar aspects

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the timing or intensity of solar radiation and its effect on the snowpack.

Weather Forecast

Wednesday overnight low temperatures in the alpine will be around 0c. Thursday is forecast to be a mix of sun and cloud, a high of +5c and 100km/hr winds from the West.

Avalanche Summary

The cloud cover and wind kept things cooler on the mountainside than predicted. A surprising lack of avalanche activity. Let's see what the warm weather will do on Thursday.

Snowpack Summary

On Wednesday, the forecasting crew came across moist snow below tree line which is likely to harden overnight. Expect sun crust on solar aspects early in the morning and wet snow later. The alpine looks a bit like the moon with wind slabs and sastrugi formations. More wind is on the way but there is not much loose snow to move around anymore. With a warm overnight temperature and another warm day forecast for Thursday, keep an eye out for moist snow under your skis. This moist snow increases the likelihood of triggering avalanches.

Terrain and Travel

  • Avoid exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes, especially when the solar radiation is strong.
  • Cornices become weak with daytime heating or solar exposure.
  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.

Regions covered