Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Apr 14 – 15, 2013Alberta Parks
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Archived · expired 13 years ago

Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low

Highlights

The return to winter continues. Watch for reverse wind loading due to persistent NE winds. Storm slabs are a concern on all aspects in the alpine except West.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Sluffing is occurring in steep terrain on all aspects. Be aware of overhead terrain.
  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–4
    Storm slabs up to 60cm thick are present at and above treeline in lee and cross-loaded features. Thin slabs are also found on South aspects due to recent Northerly winds. Carefully evaluate the bond between these slabs and the crusts beneath.

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Continued light flurries for next couple of days with accumulations near 5cm for Monday. Winds will be moderate to strong from the NE and temperatures will remain cool.

Avalanche Summary

Sluffing continues in steep terrain, but most avalanches observed today were quite small.

Snowpack Summary

New snow amounts were variable due to the convective nature of the flurries, but average amounts were near 5cm at treeline with storm snow totals near 30cm. Storm slab up to 60cm thick are present in lee and cross-loaded terrain in the alpine and exposed areas at treeline. Isolated thin storm slabs are also found on S aspects due to recent winds. Previously formed crusts are now buried from 5 to 40cm depending on elevation.

Regions covered