Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Mar 26 – 27, 2014Alberta Parks
View on map
Archived · expired 13 years ago

Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
Open full map

Highlights

Its a unique time out there right now. The lack of our typical winds has left 50cm's of snow out there just waiting for some wind transport. Pay attention to changing weather patterns. Its a good time to stay in the trees and avoid the big terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    The windslabs are now buried 50cm's below the new storm snow. The storm snow is still untouched by wind. If the winds pick up, there is a huge amount of available snow for storm slabs to develop. Watch for quickly changing conditions.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–5
    This is still our most concerning layer. Large triggers (cornices or other avalanches) will likely result in very large and destructive avalanches. Avoid big terrain as this storm plays out.

Confidence

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Snow will taper tonight and tomorrow with another pulse coming through Thursday evening. Amounts are expected to be about 6cm's, however local amounts may be higher as was the case today.  Treeline winds will be in the 20km/hr range with valley bottoms staying calmer with light winds. The temperatures are expected to stay similar to today's. A high of -8.

Avalanche Summary

Some small loose dry avalanches were seen out of steep cliffs today. Very poor visibility prevented any worthwhile observations in the Alpine.

Snowpack Summary

15-20cm's of low density snow overnight on the Spray. This leaves us with 50cm's of new snow that has yet to see any wind. There is a suncrust down 15 cm's, but the new snow appears to be well bonded. The various interfaces throughout the upper 100cm's had no significant weakness at our location (sheltered area at treeline). The Feb 10th layer is now down 130 at treeline. Tests today had results that were all over the map. Results varied from a Compression Test Hard result to a Deep Tap Test with easy results. Overall snow depth at treeline is 160cm.

Regions covered