Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Mar 3 – 4, 2013Alberta Parks
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Archived · expired 14 years ago

Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

Very touchy avalanche conditions currently exist and a natural avalanche cycle is occurring. Be very conservative in your terrain choices.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    2–5
    Cornices have grown significantly in the past 72hrs and several cornice failures occurred yesterday which triggered slab avalanches on the slopes below.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Recent snowfall and moderate winds has lead to sluffing from steep terrain on all aspects at all elevations.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely - Certain
    Size
    2–5
    An additional 15 to 20cm in the past 24hrs has added to the already 50cm of storm snow. Slab development is extensive in lee and cross-loaded terrain. Prime conditions exist for human triggering and a natural avalanche cycle is occurring.

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Another 5cm+ are possible before the storm finally peters out late Sunday night. Monday will bring a mix of sun and cloud with occasional light flurries. Winds will be light and temperatures could drop to -18 in the alpine.

Avalanche Summary

Visibility was extremely limited today, but field teams did observe a size 2.0 naturally triggered avalanche on an E aspect on Mt. Rundle while inspecting HWY 742 this morning. It was too obscure to identify the start zone elevation of this slide, but it did run full path. HWY 742 remains closed from the Mt. Shark Road to the Grassi Lakes Trailhead pending avalanche control work on Monday. Estimated time of re-opening is late Monday afternoon with low confidence.

Snowpack Summary

15 to 20cm of snow in the past 24hrs, with storm snow totals now near 50 to 60cm. Extensive storm slab development continues in alpine and treeline areas. Slabs are very sensitive to human triggering and a natural avalanche cycle is occurring.

Regions covered