Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Apr 17 – 18, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

Recent new snow has given a nice reset to the region. Be aware of sluffing and newly formed wind slabs, especially at higher elevations.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Fresh wind slabs are possible on all aspects due to recently variable winds. Check the new snow bond with the underlying crust.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    2–3

    Still a problem on the polar aspects in alpine areas.

  • Loose Dry

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

    New storm snow sluffing easily on buried frozen layers at upper elevations.

Snowpack Summary

Recent storm snow totals are highly variable depending on drainage and elevation. On average 5cm of new snow fell overnight bringing recent storm snow totals to 30cm at Treeline. This fresh snow overlies a moist crust and is bonding well except at higher elevations. Wind slabs are evident at 2400m and above, and could be sensitive to human triggering. The deeper persistent weak layers are still a concern where the snowpack is thin or when the crusts break down with direct solar radiation and/or daytime heating.

Weather Summary

Thursday may start off at -18C!!!! Then it should be mainly sunny with cloudy periods in the afternoon. Temperatures will climb to -4C with light to moderate northerly winds.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be cautious of sluffing.
  • Avoid thin areas like rock outcroppings where you're most likely to trigger avalanches failing on deep weak layers.
  • Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Two naturally triggered loose dry avalanches up to size 2.0 were observed in extreme Alpine terrain on Wednesday.

Regions covered