Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Jan 5 – 6, 2013Alberta Parks
View on map
Archived · expired 14 years ago

Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
Open full map

Highlights

An end to this drought is in site for Tuesday!  Lots of people out ice climbing on Saturday as the skiing is getting rather grim in many places.   

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–4
    Pockets of stiff windslabs are being found in Alpine terrain and isolated areas at treeline. Avoid steep unsupported features.  Ice climbers should watch for pockets of these slabs between pitches of routes.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Loose dry avalanches should be expected in extreme terrain where the snow has become weak and facetted (sugary). A few small solar induced slides were observed on Saturday in extreme terrain. 

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    3–6
    Its easy to forget about this problem but don't forget about it just yet.  This basal crust will be the likely layer for some large avalanches.  It may be easier to trigger from thin or shallow snow pack areas so heads up in this type of terrain.

Snowpack Summary

LIttle change.  Surface hoar continues to grow under the influence of the cold clear nights.  Warm temps at upper elevations making a thin temperature crust on steep solar aspects.

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

The skies will get increasingly cloudy throughout the evening on Saturday as the ridge of high pressure begins to slide off to the east.  Temperature will become more seasonal and there is a chance of some trace precip over the next few days.  The next system that is expected to bring some more moderate snowfall is forecast to cross over the region on Tuesday but the winds accompaying this system are forecast to be intense.

Avalanche Summary

Field teams were in the Ghost regions and the Bow Valley regions ice climbing.  A few loose avalanches were observed on steep solar aspects, likely related to the daytime warming.

Regions covered