Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Jan 10 – 11, 2015Alberta Parks
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Archived · expired 12 years ago

Avalanche danger

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

Skier accidental avalanche at Tent ridge on Sunday in the main bowl.  See forecast details for more information and a photo here.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–4
    Hard windslabs are widespread in alpine areas.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    2–4
    This layer will be with us for the winter and seems the most "triggerable" at this time.  Be heads up as you transition into wind affected terrain especially at treeline.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–5
    Not much activity on this layer of late but its still in forecasters minds lingering at the base of the snowpack.

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

No new snow is expected overnight.  Winds will continue out of the NW in the moderate range and temperatures will be around -8C mid day in Alpine terrain.

Avalanche Summary

Sz 2.5 skier accidental avalanche observed on a NE aspect at Tent ridge.  The slide was 100m wide, up to 50cm deep and appeared to fail on top of the Dec 13th crust.  Unknown at this time if there were any injuries.  PHOTO

Snowpack Summary

Widespread wind affect in alpine terrain.  At treeline, pockets of windslabs and persistent slabs overlying the Dec13th crust down 30-50cm. Moderate sheers persist at this interface on a layer of facets above the crust.  Crust seems to disappear above 2300m.  1106CR down 120-140cm and is continuing to break down.

Regions covered