Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Jan 6 – 7, 2014Alberta Parks
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Archived · expired 13 years ago

Avalanche danger

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

The big news for the next couple of days is - no new precipitation and lots of strong westerly winds to redistribute last weeks storm snow and create new wind slabs or thicken preexisting slabs. Watch for local wind effects due to local variability.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1–4
    Westerly winds will continue to increase in strength over the next 24-48 hours.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    2–6
    Be aware of the potential for loose or slab avalanche activity  to step down into deeper weak layers and involve the entire winter snowpack.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Loose dry sluffing from steep terrain will  increase in likelihood due to strong westerly flow.

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Winds increasing as temperatures rise.  Increased wind action along ridgetops on Monday with winds forecast to increase in all elevation zones over the next 24 hours.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity observed during travel on Monday.

Snowpack Summary

Quick tour in Hero's Knob area with travel restricted to areas BTL - weak unconsolidated base prevalent up to 2200m.  Some redistribution of snow beginning due to increased westerly flow.

Regions covered