Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Mar 7 – 8, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Beautiful weather for a ski tour or snowshoe loop over the next couple of days. It will remain important to limit overhead exposure and choose very conservative terrain while our snow pack adjusts.

A Special Public Avalanche Warning is in effect and has been extended. Click the red SPAW link for details.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    2–3

    New slabs, old slabs, buried slabs, laminated slabs...you name it and we have it. Watch wind loading carefully.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    2–3

    New snow is overloading the Feb 2nd persistent weak layer now buried 70 100cm deep. This layer has facets above and below the crust. Remote triggering is a strong possibility.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2.5–3.5

    Avalanches may step down to the weeker deep basal layers.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Natural activity has continued from yesterday to today. Most new avalanches have been in the high alpine, and with impressive propagation. Mt Shark had a large avalanche with a crown well over 1km. Forecasters also witnessed a pair of skiers kick out a sz1.5 windslab today in Tryste Chutes.

Snowpack Summary

No new snow overnight. Fresh windslabs from yesterday and the day before are evident in the alpine and treeline. Natural avalanche activity has tapered, but there's still new avalanches occurring. Most are in steep, rocky alpine terrain. Only minor settlement yesterday, likely due to the fluctuating temperatures and little new snow.

Weather Summary

Friday will be very similar to today. Thin cloud for most of the day, but still more or less blue skies for the day. Temps will start cold at -19, but warm to about -3. Winds will be light with the occasional gust in the afternoon.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Potential for wide propagation exists, fresh slabs may rest on surface hoar, facets and/or crust.
  • Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.

Regions covered