Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Jan 2 – 3, 2016Alberta Parks
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Archived · expired 11 years ago

Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Keep an eye on solar aspects as day-time heating and radiation increase the hazard. Travel conditions are fast with minimal ski penetration except in shallow snowpack areas at lower elevations.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    Wind slabs are found in much of the Alpine, particularly on lee and cross-loaded features. These slabs could be sensitive to human triggering in steep and/or unsupported terrain.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1
    Even though it is early January the solar radiation has been intense on steep aspects at higher elevations. Be wary of these slopes later in the day, and keep in mind what terrain is overhead.

Confidence

High - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Sunday will bring a mix of sun and cloud with no precipitation. Alpine temperature will reach a high of -4 °C, with winds out of the SW at 20km/h. Freezing levels will be at valley bottom. Monday may see a very small amount of snow fall, under cloudy skies.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new today, but a skier accidentally triggered a size 2.0 wind slab avalanche a couple of days ago in steep Alpine terrain.

Snowpack Summary

Surface hoar growth in sheltered areas below treeline up to 20mm in size. The snowpack continues to facet due to persistent cold temperatures. Steep solar aspects have a thin sun crust that is melting later in the day as radiation and temperatures increase. Wind slabs are found in Alpine areas on all aspects, and some natural and human triggered avalanches have occurred in the past several days.

Regions covered