Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Jan 28 – 29, 2015Alberta Parks
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Archived · expired 12 years ago

Avalanche danger

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

Large to very large avalanches are still occurring at higher elevations. Cautious terrain decisions are advised.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    Wind slabs dominate the landscape in the Alpine and open areas at Treeline. Steep N and E aspects are the most concerning terrain features. Wide propagations are possible due to the density of the slabs.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    Clear skies and sunny conditions are delivering intense radiation to steep solar aspects. Crusts are breaking down near midday and loose wet avalanches are occurring daily.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–5
    The mid-December layer (buried 35 to 50cm) and the weak November basal layers are still active in stability tests and recent avalanche activity. See Avalanche Activity Discussion for details on two recent slab avalanches.

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

A mix of sun and cloud expected for the next couple of days with Alpine temperatures between -6 and -8 degrees. Winds will be west at 25 to 30km/h. No precipitation is expected until Sunday, and then only a trace amount is forecast.

Avalanche Summary

Solar triggered loose wet avalanches up to size 1.0 continued today. Two notable slab avalanches also occurred in the past 24hrs. A size 3.0 was observed on a steep N aspect at 2600m. This fracture was between 30 and 100cm deep and propagated 450m wide. The second slide was a size 2.0 slab likely triggered by a loose wet sluff initiating in the cliffs above. This slab was between 30 and 50cm deep, but did not propagate very wide.

Snowpack Summary

Crusts dominate below treeline and on solar aspects at all elevations. Solar aspects were melting again by midday today due to intense radiation. Wind slabs are widespread in the Alpine and open areas at Treeline and still seem reactive in steeper terrain. Test profile at 2200m NE asp today indicate sudden planar compression test results in the moderate range down 90cm on the Nov facets and depth hoar.

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