Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Feb 29 – Mar 3, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
4 · High
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Highlights

A Special Public Avalanche Warning is in effect for the region.

Now is a good time to avoid all avalanche terrain and go check out one of the local resorts.

Avalanche control is planned for the East End of Rundle area at 15:30pm on Friday March 1st. The road will be closed for 4hrs at this time.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely - Certain
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Wind slabs and Storm slabs should be expected in open areas.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely - Certain
    Size
    1.5–3

    A weak layer of facets over this crust has been identified as a layer of concern in recent snowpack tests and been involved in recent avalanches.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–3

    This is the November basal facet problem that exists in the high alpine and where the Feb 2 rain crust does not exist or has started to break down.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Visibility was limited on Thursday but we suspect a natural avalanche cycle is ongoing.

Snowpack Summary

50-80cm of recent snow is now overlying the Feb 3rd crust complex. Storm slabs and wind slabs can be expected in this new snow which will be easy to trigger with a skiers weight. A weak layer of facetted crystals also exists above and below this crust that has been producing moderate sheers. This new snow is beginning to overload this layer and cause a natural avalanche cycle. The November basal facets are alive and well and back on our radar as the February 2 rain crust is deteriorating and not locking in the weaknesses below as it once did. Skier weight has now been able to break through the Feb 2 rain crust in some places, which means that the basal facets can now be more easily affected.

This is a good time to avoid all avalanche terrain.

Weather Summary

A heavy snowfall warning is currently in effect for the Region.

An additional 10-20cm of snow is forecast overnight with temperatures dropping and winds continuing to be moderate out of the west.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, avalanches may run surprisingly far.
  • Avoid traveling in runout zones. Avalanches have the potential to run to the valley floor.
  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.

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