Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Dec 2 – 3, 2013Alberta Parks
View on map
Archived · expired 13 years ago

Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
Open full map

Highlights

The intense winter storm has almost completely missed the Kananaskis Region. Very little snow has accumulated so far, but danger levels will rise if snowfall amounts increase. Winds are expected to stay in the strong range from the North.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–5
    Avalanches initiated in the upper snowpack are likely to step down to the basal October crust and involve the entire winters snowpack.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Sluffing is occurring in steep Alpine terrain.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–4
    Storm slabs are beginning to develop with the arrival of new snow and strong winds over the next 24hrs. Snowfall amounts so far have been much less than expected, so this problem is not yet a major concern. However the situation could rapidly evolve.

Confidence

Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Weather Forecast

Tuesday is expected to be cold with Alpine temperatures topping out at -22 degrees. Winds will continue to be strong from the North giving high wind-chill values. Only a trace amount of new snow is expected in the next 24hrs.

Avalanche Summary

Minor sluffing was observed in very steep ALP terrain on South and East aspects.

Snowpack Summary

Between 1 and 5cm of new snow depending on elevation. Strong winds are re-locating the new snow to SE, S and SW aspects, and thin wind slabs are developing. Overall the snowpack remains shallow and weak.

Regions covered