Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Dec 21 – 22, 2020Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 6 years ago

Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

Avoid Avalanche terrain. An avalanche cycle will be on going.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Previously buried wind slabs will become more reactive with load.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely - Almost Certain
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    20-40 of new snow over the past day and 20-40cm of snow expected from this new wave would bring the new snow to 40-80cm. Storm slabs will be widespread and sensitive to triggering. 

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2.5–3.5

    Might become reactive with larger loads and larger triggers like cornices.

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

Snow will increase throughout Monday evening right in to Tuesday could bring 20-40cm all with moderate winds switching from the South to the north.  

Avalanche Summary

A few natural slab avalanche up to size 2 on all aspects except for west aspects from yesterday. Limited observation due to visibility today but no sluffing from steep terrain observed

Snowpack Summary

Up to 5cm of new snow over night, 30-80cm overlying the Dec 8th surface hoar, facet, crust interface. Widespread wind affect in Alpine in to tree line features. Caution for reverse loading with the strong North winds. Settlement in the upper snow pack might make it more sensitive to skier traffic around tree line features.

Terrain and Travel

  • Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow and wind.
  • Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, avalanches may run surprisingly far.

Regions covered