Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Kananaskis.
Approach tree line and the alpine with caution as there are widespread wind slabs that are reactive.
Good skiing can be found at tree line and below.
Confidence
Moderate -
Weather Forecast
A fairly mild week with temperatures rising to 0c in the alpine on Thursday.
Wednesday: High of -4c with flurries in the morning and a mix of sun and cloud for the afternoon. Winds will be 50-60km/hr from the SW. Expect the freezing level to rise to 2000m.
Avalanche Summary
1. One size 2 slab avalanche was reported near Mt. Buller on Monday. The depth was about 40cm deep. This was a skier involvement
2. One size 2 cornice triggered slab avalanche east of Burstall parking lot that occurred some time during Monday night's storm.
3. Two size 2 slab avalanches on Tent Repeater Ridge, east facing near 2400m.Â
During this past weekend:
-One size 2 slab avalanche near Burstall Pass with a skier involvement.
-Two skier involvements in Kootenay National Park.
Snowpack Summary
This last storm dropped 15cm of snow along with strong winds. The alpine and tree line have widespread wind slabs overlying a previous generation of wind slab. There have been several avalanches on either this recent wind slab or the wind slab that is buried about 30-50cm down. One cornice triggered avalanche also caused a surface slab to release. With these warming temperatures and recent loading, cornice failures are on our radar.
Expect to see some moist snow on steeper solar aspects that will be a crust in the morning hours.
Terrain and Travel
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain.
- Pay attention to isolated alpine features as well as cross-loaded features at treeline.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
The alpine looks loaded and has new and old buried wind slabs. Take the time to evaluate these.
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Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3