Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Feb 25 – 26, 2018Alberta Parks
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Archived · expired 9 years ago

Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Good skiing can be found in sheltered areas.  Wind slabs cover the alpine.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2.5
    Facetting is helping ease this problem at treeline. The alpine on the other hand is still covered in windslabs of varying densities.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–3.5
    Large triggers are a concern. It's safe to say we're in the "low probability/high consequence" situation.  Avoid thin areas.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Tonight will be clear, with temps dipping to -17c and moderate ridge top winds. Tomorrow the forecast indicates a mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. Winds will be 40-55km/h from the west and a high of -16c in the alpine.

Avalanche Summary

One large and long audible sound (probably an avalanche) was heard in the Mt. Murray/Murray Creek area. The weather was not conducive to get a visual on anything.

Snowpack Summary

Below treeline has really felt the cold. Any area that was loose snow prior to the cold is now weak and facetted. This isn't a bad thing, many windslabs have lost their cohesiveness thanks to that cold snap. At treeline the wind slabs are immediately noticeable once exposed terrain is reached. For the most part these slabs are thin and sometimes breakable. Steep, unsupported terrain may have reactive windslabs lurking, but for the most part the slabs are well bonded to underlying layers. The alpine has windslabs that are widespread and either breakable or eerily hollow under foot. These feel as though they could be triggered from shallow, transitional areas.

Regions covered