Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Feb 14 – 15, 2013Alberta Parks
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Archived · expired 14 years ago

Avalanche danger

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

Recent slab formation in the alpine and open areas at treeline will remain sensitive to skier-triggering on Friday. Incoming storms on the weekend will push the danger level up, with the most significant change expected on Sunday.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–4
    Recent snow and wind is causing sluffing from very steep terrain on lee aspects. It is possible that a sluff could cause a slab avalanche on the underlying slopes.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–5
    Storm slab development is on-going on lee and cross loaded features in alpine and treeline areas. With persistent westerly winds these slabs are widespread on E and S aspects and will be sensitive to human triggering.

Confidence

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Friday will bring little precipitation, and continued strong westerlies. Saturday will see a wave of snowfall with a bigger storm arriving Sunday. Alpine temperatures will climb to near -5 degrees.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous sluffs up to size 1.5 on steep aspects on steep lee features in the alpine. One small slab triggered (likely by a goat) on a S asp at treeline. Slab did not propagate far and fracture depth was approximately 20 to 30cm.

Snowpack Summary

Small storms have added up to 20cm of new snow at treeline and above. Soft slab formation on-going at treeline and alpine elevations. Open areas at treeline have a stiffer slab than lower altitudes.

Regions covered