Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Mar 13 – 14, 2014Alberta Parks
View on map
Archived · expired 13 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
Open full map

Highlights

Danger ratings will be closely tied to the rise and fall of the freezing level over the next couple of days.  Expect steeper solar aspects to exhibit signs of weakening as the day progresses and air temperatures rise.  Be aware of overhead terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–3
    Wind slabs are widespread on lee aspects in alpine and treeline terrain. These slabs seem to be most sensitive to human triggering at treeline.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–5
    This persistent weak layer is buried 70 to 100cm in Alpine and Treeline areas and is sensitive to human triggering. Large settlements are still occurring in some drainages near treeline highlighting this weakness.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2

Confidence

Good

Snowpack Summary

While slightly cooler on Thursday we are still seeing some settlement taking place within the snowpack due to mild temperatures. Water is visible running down the rocks on steep solar aspects indicating some additional heating and weakening is taking place at higher elevations.

Weather Forecast

Freezing levels rose to @1900 m on Thursday and similar conditions are expected on Friday with some light flurries through the day - accumulations of 4-7cm near the divide. Low tonight -10 and overnight winds winds west 25 gusting to 35 km/h. Winds increasing on Friday westerly 40 gusting to 85 km/h!  Looking at the possibility of 20cm+ late in the weekend based on current forecast models so stay tuned...

Avalanche Summary

No new natural avalanches observed or reported. Avalanche control work on EEOR produced mixed results with slab avalanches up to Size 2.5.

Regions covered