Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Jan 29 – 30, 2015Alberta Parks
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Archived · expired 12 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

When the sun is out it packs a punch so watch for decreases in stability on steep solar aspects.  New surface hoar is growing overlying a crust along the divide.  Another soon to be new problem.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    Stiff windslabs overlying a weak facetted base.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    Facets overlying the 1213cr are continuing torproduce moderate sheers.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–5
    The Nov cr was still observed in snowpack tests along the divide on the 29th.

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Freezing levels and temperatures are both forecast to drop over the next few days.  There isnt much of new snow in the 

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity was observed today but there is evidence of a widespread cycle over this past week on all aspects at treeline and into the Alpine.  Heat was the suspected trigger in many cases.

Snowpack Summary

Wide wide wide widespread wind affect in Alpine terrain and into treeline areas.  A thin temperature crust can be found on the surface throughout the region on all aspects up to 2400m and on solar aspects up to 2900m.  At a profile on Thursday near Three Isle lake we found the 0116SH down 25cm and coming out CTM(11)(SP) and a more moderate RP result on the 1213CR down 50cm.  Windward slopes are as stripped as I've ever seen them personally and below treeline, the snowpack is a mixture of crusts and breakable facets.  Overall, not a pretty picture but thats just honest. 

Regions covered