Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Dec 26 – 28, 2022Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Some snow, some rain and of course winds from the SW are doing nothing good for the snowpack in the short term. In the alpine the windslabs are growing with the little bit of new snow, and in the valley's the travel is almost impossible unless you are on an established track.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Continuing SW winds and warmer temps will continue the growth of windslabs

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

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

    This layer should be monitored as elevation is gained. Despite being labelled as deep, it can be a ways off the ground. Entrainment is a major concern. These avalanches could run to valley bottom.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed or reported today.

Snowpack Summary

10cm of new snow with the top 3-5cm being moist, sits above the Dec16th surface hoar layer. Below that the Nov 16th Surface hoar layer is starting to show signs of faceting out, However we were able to get repeatable Moderate compression results on this layer. Below is extreme faceting to ground with depth hoar.

Weather Summary

7cm forecasted, joined by moderate to strong Southwest winds. The freezing levels will be around 1900m. The spray road sits at about 1850m, So expect rain at lower elevations and moist snow above.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
  • Be aware of the potential for surprisingly large avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.
  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Regions covered