Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Mar 27 – 28, 2013Alberta Parks
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Spring conditions are here. Intense solar radiation and daytime heating will increase avalanche danger each day. It's a good time for longer tours but keep a close eye on overhead terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–5
    Cornice failures continue to be a theme, with several failures triggering slab avalanches in the past week. Be aware of overhead exposure especially during times of intense solar radiation.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–5
    Buried wind slabs are a concern in steep, convex and unsupported features. These slabs are hidden under previous snowfalls so take time to dig down and evaluate their presence and sensitivity. Recent compression tests show moderate to hard results.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–4
    Steep solar aspects have been producing loose wet avalanches in the past several days as intense solar radiation and daytime heating breaks down the sun crust.

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Thursday should be mostly sunny with continued light winds. Alpine temperatures near -8, but freezing levels will climb to at least 2200m. Very slight chance of precipitation on Wednesday night.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous solar triggered sluffs up to size 1.5 were observed today on steep South aspects.

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack continues to settle. Sun crusts are present on solar aspects. These crusts are breakable in the morning and are melting each afternoon with intense solar radiation and warm temperatures. Cornices are large in many areas and are suffering from intense solar radiation. Wind slabs are still a concern in steep, convex and unsupported terrain, especially on northerly aspects at higher elevations.

Regions covered