Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Feb 22 – 23, 2017Alberta Parks
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Archived · expired 10 years ago

Avalanche danger

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

Travel with caution when exposed to large overhead hazard.  The weak basal layer has potential to create large scale avalanches.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Wind slabs exist on all aspects but tend to be thicker on easterly aspects. These may be up to 50cm thick in heavily loaded areas.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3
    This hard slab is spotty in nature. Expect to see it start near treeline and carry on higher. If it does react, it will likely propagate for a long ways.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–4
    Past avalanches have stepped down to this layer. Thin areas and transitional terrain remain a concern.

Confidence

-

Weather Forecast

A trace of snow is forecast tonight with a mix of sun and cloud for Thursday.  Temperatures for Thursday in the alpine will be -13c with ridge wind from the west at 10km/h.

Avalanche Summary

No observations..

Snowpack Summary

We have up to 20cm of recent snow.  This snow has minimal wind effect below 2500m and overlies a temperature crust on all aspects below 2100m and up to 2300m on solar aspects.  A  strong mid to upper pack overlies a weak base at all elevations. The weak basal facets and depth hoar make up the bottom 70cm of the snowpack at all elevations which gives us little confidence in large terrain if an avalanche is triggered.

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