Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Feb 22 – 23, 2018Alberta Parks
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Archived · expired 9 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Alpine windslabs are the main concern right now. Triggering will be difficult, but if it happens expect a large avalanche.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2
    The extended cold has just begun to break these slabs down. At treeline, many slabs have begun to fade away, but the alpine still looks heavily wind affected.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–3.5
    Large triggers are still a concern. It's safe to say we're in the "low probability/high consequence" situation.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

It will remain chilly for another day... Tomorrow's high temp will be -17C. Winds will increase to 45km/hr and be out of the west. No snow.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new today.

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack doesn't start to become interesting until treeline. Once a month we go to Burstall Pass and dig a profile in a specific area. Today was that day. What we found was a stroll down memory lane. The early season crusts are still there, but they've been pushed to the ground. The problematic Dec 15 layer is down about a meter and seemingly stabilizing. Both of our surface hoar layers are still there, but same thing. No results in any sort of snow test. It's hard to say, but mid-pack layers are getting along much better these days. It's worth noting that the alpine is wind ravaged. Windslabs are pretty much everywhere, and the skiing looks challenging. But, sheltered treeline areas have decent snow. The cold has helped the surface layers facet out and soften.

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