Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Mar 14 – 15, 2014Alberta Parks
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Archived · expired 13 years ago

Avalanche danger

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

Watch for decreases in stability if the sun comes out on Saturday.  On Sunday a storm is forecast to cross the region giving us 30cm of new snow and moderate to strong winds out of the SW.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–4
    Wind slabs are widespread on lee aspects in alpine areas and isolated areas at treeline.  These problems may step down to the 0211 layer so use caution.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–5
    Snowpack is settling and strengthening and the 0211 layer is slowly gaining strength.  At treeline this layer is down 70-100cm while in the alpine its down anywhere from 40cm to 150cm.  Sudden planar sheers are still being observed.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2
    This will only be a problem on solar aspects if the sun comes out.

Confidence

Good - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Sunday

Weather Forecast

Temperatures are forecast to cool overnight but on Saturday, clear-ish skies are forecast so we can expect there to be decreases in stability on solar aspects later in the day when/if the sun comes out.  Late saturday a storm is forecast to track across the region giving us up to 30cm of new snow by Sunday afternoon with strong westerly winds. 

Avalanche Summary

No new natural avalanche observations.

Snowpack Summary

Most Alpine areas are wind affected with windward slopes stripped bare and lee slopes full of hard slabs. At treeline the 0211 interface is down 70-100cm and producing moderate to hard shears.  Most areas below 200m there is a thin temperature crust but while on solar aspects there is a thick temperature crust up to the peaks.

Regions covered