Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Feb 1 – 2, 2013Alberta Parks
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Avalanche danger

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

Another chinook!  Winds are increasing as well as temps!  Watch for fresh storm and windslabs in open wind affected terrain.  Also, there may be some decreases in stability on steep solar aspects as temperatures warm up so use caution.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–4
    Buried windslabs should be expected throughout the region.  These slabs have been buried by the recent snow making them tougher to locate.  Be aware of thin areas surrounding these slabs where the snowpack is weaker.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–4
    Up to 30cm of snow has fallen at upper elevations over the past week.  This snow has formed soft and hard storm slabs up to 30cm thick in Alpine open terrain. 

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

A chinook is rolling through the region once again.  No new snow is expected and winds are forecast to be strong out of the SW at upper elevations.  Skies are expected to be clear so watch for decreases in stability on solar aspects related to the daytime warming.

Avalanche Summary

Only one small sz 1 slab avalanche was observed on Mt Fister (N or Mt Nestor). on a steep E aspect alpine feature.  The slide was 20m wide and ran 100m.

Snowpack Summary

A few new cm of snow at higher elevations.  Close to 30-35cm of new snow is now overlying the 0123 windslabs/storm snow interface.  Mid day on friday the chinook started rolling in, winds increased and storm slabs begin to further develop in Alpine areas sure to the strong SW flow.  The snowpack is weak and facetted in lower elevations but above 2000m the midpack gains strength and improves.  140cm on average at TL.

Regions covered